As someone who keeps knowledge about knives and various knife sheets of steel, you are bound to have experience using knives made out of Japanese steel. The popularity of Japanese steel is not something unknown.
Features like unbeatable toughness, great edge type and satisfying sharpness make knife manufacturers go for Japanese steel with their eyes closed. AUS-8 is also a product of Japan. For anyone who is looking forward to getting affordable yet exquisite quality knife steel, the AUS-8 will meet your requirements.
What is AUS-8 Steel?
With the medium performance, the AUS 8 was able to pursue huge popularity as a great Japanese steel. The steel is the product of a famous Japanese company called Aichi Techno Fukami and they have manufactured a well-known AUS series. The steel belongs to this best-selling series.
Knife enthusiasts have found a lot of similarities between AUS 8 with other famous high-end stainless steels such as 440C, D2 and lastly 154 CM. This comparison makes a lot of sense if manufacturers expect huge from AUS 8.
As Japanese manufacturers claim it to have qualities of high-end stainless steel which will result in the production of blades that have the required features. The versatility of AUS 8 steel allows you to manufacture items like automotive parts, scissors, medical instruments, and the contents of food processors other than just making knives.
Chemical Composition
• 0.75% of Carbon: Improves steel’s resistance towards corrosion and wear. Also boosts the hardness of the steel.
• 14% of Chromium: Increases hardness, edge retention, tensile strength and toughness. Boosts resistance of the steel to wear and corrosion.
• 1% of Silicon: Makes steel strength higher.
• 0.5% of Manganese: Adds forge ability, hardenability, and wear resistance to the steel.
• 0.5% of Nickel: Adds more toughness to the steel.
• 0.3% of Molybdenum: Makes hardenability, toughness and steel strength better.
• 0.25% of Vanadium: Increases corrosion and wear resistance, toughness level and steel strength.
• 0.04% of Phosphorus: Adds more strength.
• 0.02% of Sulphur: Enhances machinability.
Steel Hardness:
The scale of Rockwell C shows the hardness rating of AUS 8 is about 59 HRC. The rating of the steel can vary depending on the heat temperature provided by the manufacturer.
Steel Properties:
• Average toughness: AUS 8 steel has the required amount of toughness that allows it to endure impact and heavy duty without getting chipped or facing breakage. The chemical composition consists of elements like nickel and chromium at a high percentage that works for enhancing the toughness of the steel. Furthermore, with proper heat procedure done on the steel, the toughness can be boosted.
• Incredible Corrosion Resistance: AUS 8 steel is a stainless steel because it has the required amount of chromium in its chemical composition. This makes AUS 8 capable of resisting corrosion and rust even under moist and humid conditions.
• Excellent Wear Resistance: The excellent wear resistance makes AUS 8 stand out in the market. Due to the presence of elements like manganese, molybdenum and silicon, you get to witness the incredible capacity of the steel in resisting wear. The blade made out of steel does not lose its sharpness and shape even after heavy duty. The steel is compared to high-end grades due to its immense capacity for tacking abrasion.
• Moderate edge retention: Even after heavy-duty AUS 8 has the capacity of retaining its edge not requiring frequent sharpening. The presence of a higher percentage of carbon makes it possible as then hardness is boosted as well. AUS 8 gets to be compared with high-end steels for this particular feature. Due to amazing edge retention, makers opt for using AUS 8 for manufacturing knives.
• Ease of sharpness: Giving the edge of AUS 8 your desired sharpness does not require much effort or a complicated sharpener. As the steel has the right balance of properties steel is easy to sharpen.
Comparison With Other Knife Steel Options:
AUS 8 vs. 440C
AUS 8 gets beaten by 440C in terms of edge retention and hardness level. Furthermore, 440C steel performs better at corrosion resistance than AUS 8. But AUS 8 is the easier one to sharpen.
AUS 8 vs. VG10
VG10 is also a product of Japan just like AUS 8 steel. But VG10 portrays better performance in corrosion resistance and edge retention than AUS 8.
AUS 8 vs. S30V
Both of the steels are stainless which results in witnessing a similar performance in corrosion resistance. Yet there are some differences. You will get to see S30V winning at wear resistance and having higher hardness than AUS 8. But it is difficult to sharpen the edge of S30V compared to AUS 8.
AUS 8 vs. D2
Unlike AUS 8, D2 is semi-stainless steel with weak performance in corrosion and wear resistance. But in edge retention and D2 is the better performer.
AUS 8 vs. 8Cr13MoV
8Cr13MoV has been manufactured by keeping all the features of AUS 8 steel in mind. Both of the steels have the same properties resulting in similar performance.
AUS 8 vs. 1095
1095 is well known for its incapability in corrosion resistance, throwing it off in comparison with AUS 8. Furthermore, in properties like hardness, edge retention, toughness and wear resistance AUS 8 takes away all the scores.
So, is AUS-8 Steel Good?
If you are looking for affordable steel with high-end quality then yes AUS 8 is a great steel for you. The steel has all the features that a knife maker wishes for. Steel is also versatile for the manufacturing of other items as well.