WHY 440C Stainless Steel?
Excellent corrosion resistance to water and many weak chemicals
Corrosion resistance can be improved by passivating
Good °C for temperatures up to 300°C
It is a little softer than chrome steel, so it has a low load rating
Corrode acid / alkali to resist salt water, salt spray and poverty layer resistance
More expensive than chrome steel
What is 440C?
Martensitic stainless steel It is composed of these key alloy elements (I do not show minor elements because they do not play an important role):
Carbon: 0.95 to 1.25 percent, which increases tempering and abrasion resistance and decreases higher amounts of toughness.
Mangane: 45% It is added to reduce brittleness, reduce forging, tempering, and deformation.
Silicone: 30% This is an acid eliminator which can improve the heat forming.
Chrome: Only 17.00 to 18.00 percent added to high alloy tool steel, which improves hardening, high abrasion resistance, toughness and corrosion resistance.
Molybdenum: 50% improves deep hardening and toughness.
(along with iron) These basic elements are a simple combination that works well with you for decades.
This alloy is technically classified as UNS S44044. It is also classified as SAE as 51440C
The American Steel Association classifies it as the standard for 440C martensite stainless steel. Most knifemakers recently call it 440C.