A martensitic stainless steel called CPM® S30V® was created to provide the ideal balance of toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Vanadium carbides, which are stronger and better at providing wear resistance than chromium carbides, can form due to the carefully crafted chemistry of this material. 

Compared to other high-hardness steels like 440C and D2, CPM® S30V® delivers a significant increase in toughness, and in a variety of situations, its corrosion resistance is on par with or better than 440C.

In comparison to conventional techniques, the CPM® process yields extremely homogeneous, high-quality steel that has greater dimensional stability, grindability, and toughness.

Long-lasting cutlery, plastic injection and extrusion feed screws and dies, non-return valve components, pelletizing machinery, and wear parts for food and chemical processing are just a few examples of common applications.

The steel is extremely durable and easy to sharpen, making it a popular choice for custom knives and high-end production knives. It has superior wear resistance and toughness. 

It is easy to sharpen and provides excellent edge retention, making it an ideal choice for custom or production knives. Furthermore, its high corrosion resistance makes it suitable for use in wet environments.

The sections below provide greater detail on the features of S30V.

Response to Heat Treatment

In order to make steel “simple to heat treat,” it was important to make sure it could be toughened by heating it to a temperature of no more than 2000°F. Many knifemakers used Paragon brand furnaces, which had a maximum temperature of 2000°F, at the time S30V was introduced. 

Some furnaces are restricted to rather low temperatures. How quickly the steel must be quenched from a high temperature to still obtain full hardness is another simple aspect of heat treating. 

The 2% Mo helped because molybdenum additives enhance “hardenability,” allowing for the use of slower air quenches. S30V may readily be tempered down to the 58–61 Rc range that is typical for many knives and can achieve at least 64 Rc when utilizing cold treatments.

Structure and Edge Retention

Because of powder metallurgy, the carbide structure of S30V was finer than that of a typical 154CM. Additionally, it was a little bit finer than the earlier S60V and S90V options.

Tests have shown that S30V retains its edge better than steels like XHP, Elmax, 154CM, or 440C when compared to other knife steels. It falls somewhat short of steels like ZDP-189, S90V, and 20CV/M390.

Toughness

Expert toughness testing reveals that S30V is comparable to other stainless steels in its class in terms of toughness, despite not being exceptionally robust.

With greater heat treatment, S30V’s hardness could be increased still further. At 2000°F and 500°F, the tested S30V sample underwent austenitization and tempering. If employing 2025-2050°F and 400°F, the toughness might be increased to 7-8 ft-lbs at a harder hardness of 1-2 Rc.

Corrosion Resistance Capabilities

S30V and the related S35VN have been shown to have higher corrosion resistance than CPM-154. The range would be superior to the norm. The new S45VN has somewhat enhanced corrosion resistance, but S30V is still adequate for many blades.

Conclusion

This steel is perfect for knives, tools, and other cutting instruments that require a high level of performance. It is a great choice for both professional and home users that require a very durable and reliable steel for their knife or cutting instrument.

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