Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature1038°C(1900°F)
Soak Time18 minutes
Tempering
Temperature163°C(325°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
plate
Target Hardness
59 - 60 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness5.5/10
Edge Retention4/10
Corrosion Resistance10/10
Ease of Sharpening7.5/10
Overall Score27/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Also known as Cronidur 30, Z-FiNit, N360
- 2Developed for surgical implants - biocompatible
- 3Nitrogen instead of carbon for hardness
- 4Virtually rust-proof - ideal for marine use
Famous Uses
Dive knives
Spyderco Aqua Salt
Best For
Corrosion-prone environments
Marine applications
High-wear cutting
General-purpose knives
Corrosion-resistant applications
Diving knives
Marine environments
Kitchen cutlery
High-quality chef knives
Professional culinary tools
Western kitchen knives
High corrosion resistance applications
Similar Steels
H1
Even better in salt, but worse wear
Vanax
PM alternative for marine environment
MagnaCut
Better balance, but not for constant salt
Not Recommended For
- Maximum wear resistance
- Budget projects
- Dry environments (overpaying for corrosion resistance)
Expert Tips
- 1NASA-approved bearing steel
- 2PESR manufacturing technology
- 3Excellent machinability
- 4Can be forged
- 530% chromium = exceptional corrosion resistance
- 6Nitrogen improves hardness without carbon
- 7Nitrogen improves hardness and wear resistance
- 8Careful heat treatment due to nitrogen content
- 9Excellent stainless properties
- 10Nitrogen-based hardening
- 11Alternative to carbide formation
- 12Good corrosion for food prep