AUS10 steel, also known as AUS10 steel, developed by AICHI Techno Metal Fukaumi, is an exemplary all-rounder in Japanese knife steels, with a hardness of 58 to 60 HRC. This kitchen knife steel is corrosion-resistant because of its high chromium content of about 13%.
AUS10 steel blades are simple to maintain owing to low corrosion susceptibility. The incorporation of vanadium makes the alloy tougher and more robust than standard Western knife steels.
Anyone familiar with 440C steel will transition to AUS10 steel because the elements are identical. Whereas the levels are not similar, the two steel types' effectiveness is very similar.
AUS10 Steel’s Most Common Applications
Compared to the other high-carbon steel grades, the AUS10 steel mainly produces cutting tools and other applications like:
- Cutlery
- Medical equipment
- Parts for food processing equipment
- Heavy equipment
Carbon steel is an iron and carbon alloy. To be a 'High-Carbon Steel,' a metal must have at least 0.5%. However, high-end kitchen knives will have more carbon. High-carbon steel knives are nonetheless vulnerable to surface corrosion and necessitate extra care and maintenance than stainless steel knives.
Compared to many other steel grades, the AUS10 has a structure that distinguishes it from the rest. Carbon 0.95-1.10%, Chromium 13.0-14.5%, and Molybdenum 0.10-0.31% are essential components that add to the toughness and hardness of the material. The other elements include:
- Vanadium – 0.10-0.27%
- Nickel – 0.49%
- Manganese – 0.50%
- Silicon – 1.00%
Carbon, 0.95-1.10%: Metals having a high carbon content have greater hardness, toughness, strength, wear resistance, and edge retention. With the AUS10's high carbon content, all of these qualities are to be expected.
Chromium, 13.0-14.5%: A steel grade must have at least 10.5 percent chromium and less than 1.2 percent carbon to be designated as stainless steel. The AUS10A meets both criteria, indicating that it is stainless steel and will overcome discoloration and rust.
Molybdenum, 0.10-0.31%: The inclusion of molybdenum strengthens the metal and boosts its hardness. It also aids in the retention of steel strength when subjected to high temperatures, making the metal easier to forge, harden, and manipulate.
Vanadium, 0.10-0.27%: This element improves the AUS10A's strength, toughness, and abrasion resistance. It is found in high concentrations in super steels.
Nickel, 0.49%: It is also applied to strengthen the toughness of the metal and aids in the preservation of steel strength when cured at low temperatures.
Manganese, 0.50%: A moderate quantity improves the steel's strength properties and wear resistance.
Silicon, 1.00%: This component, like manganese, hardens and enhances the toughness of steel, making it easier to produce.
AUS10 Steel Hardness
The hardness of the AUS10 steel is one of its most prominent features. This metal has a Rockwell rating of 58-60HRc, which means it has a lot of excellent properties. This is also one of the reasons for its growing appeal among knife enthusiasts.
Is AUS10 Steel Rust-Proof?
This steel type is corrosion and rust-resistant due to its high chromium content. It would not necessitate meticulous upkeep to avoid moisture and humidity damage.
Although most of the essential properties of the AUS10 steel have already been stated, here's a more in-depth look at them:
Toughness
The AUS10A steel is robust; therefore, durability is one of its promises. Many of its components provide good tensile strength, ensuring it will not shatter when subjected to heavy stress or force.
With its high hardness level, the AUS10A should resist cracking and chipping. However, it is more likely to bend and twist rather than break.
Hardness
The hardness level of AUS10A is particularly noteworthy, as it is tough. Usually, one or the other dominates, but the designers of this alloy were able to strike a balance between the two. As a result, it should be able to withstand a lot of force and maintain its edge for a long time.
Stays Sharper for Longer
Edge retention is noted with high degrees of hardness. This means that, despite its reduced thickness, the edge will not be readily destroyed. This also pertains to the knife's ability to retain its sharpness for extended durations.
Corrosion Resistance
AUS10 steel, being a stainless steel form, provides good corrosion resistance. Because of its high chromium content, it will not corrode.
This capability has the advantage of making maintenance easy. Low-chromium steel grades necessitate specific care and maintenance, making them difficult to utilise. Stainless steel knives, further along, can be more useful in the kitchen and for general use.
Ease of Sharpening
An amazing fact about AUS10 steel is that, although hard, it is still easy to sharpen. Sharpening blades made of this alloy isn't as complicated and time-consuming when using the correct tools and methods.
Aus-10 Versus Other Steels
Here's a quick rundown of different steel grades that the AUS10 steel is compared to and some other alternatives to consider.
AUS10 vs. VG-10 Steel
VG-10 is high-quality Japanese steel with superior hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. The merit of AUS10 steel over VG-10 steel is that it is less expensive and has somewhat higher toughness.
AUS10 steel and VG-10 steel are both stainless steels having a high percentage of chromium. VG-10 steel, on the other hand, is far more corrosion resistant.
AUS10 vs. AUS8 Steel
Because of its higher carbon content, AUS10 steel has a higher wear resistance than AUS8 steel. Due to the inclusion of additional Nickel components in its alloy, AUS8 is a little harder, but both steel sheets have high wear tolerance and are almost indistinguishable.
AUS10 vs. AUS6 Steel
AUS6 is a softer material that is more likely to shatter when in use than AUS10. Because AUS6 has a lower hardness grade, it is easier to re-sharpen than AUS10.
In every attribute, AUS10 outperforms AUS6, the cheapest of the AUS series.
Is Aus10A Steel Suitable for Kitchen Knives?
Yes! AUS-10 stainless steel is a solid, resistant stainless steel that can withstand rust and has exceptional edge retention. It's straightforward to sharpen, and many consider it high-quality steel.
According to some experts, knife smiths found AUS metals to have all of the desired qualities in knifemaking. As the most rigid steel in the series, it can be considered that AUS10A steel is suited for crafting kitchen blades.
Conclusion
If this AUS10 steel study has taught us anything, it's that this steel class deserves more recognition than it now gets. Many people are missing out on what this steel could do for them because of its high-performing attributes and unique features, especially its affordable price tag.
