Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

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Chris_P_Bacon
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Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#1

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

Was gettin' my "new steel tech" geek-on earlier (admittedly and unashamedly, btw) :D

Then it dawned on me, I haven't seen Vibenite 290 mentioned here (or over on blade forums), and decided to share.

The Company, VBN Components AB, located in Uppsala, Sweden, launched Vibenite 290 in Nov 2017, and claim it's the hardest commercially-available steel type in the world. Rockwells in at 72, and is being used to make (among other things) blades for industrial use!

This new alloy is perfectly suited for cutting applications. Designed for Cutting Hobs, and Power Skiving Cutters where abrasive and erosion resistance is highly desirable.

VBN 3-D Prints directly from metal powder, in a process called additive manufacturing. It will revolutionize the market.

At 4:25 it shows an etching of the micro structure. Vids not in English, but is captioned.

https://youtu.be/KW7K7vdNhcw
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#2

Post by Sumdumguy »

3D printing technology blows me away. I'm thinking of building one.

Mine won't be this cool.
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#3

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

#mindblown was the exact same feeling I had as well.

Hopefully, this makes it into a production pocket knife sooner rather than later.
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
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Evil D
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#4

Post by Evil D »

Is it going to shatter when dropped?
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Larrin
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#5

Post by Larrin »

I had not heard of that one. There are other high speed steels that can do around 71-72 Rc though.
http://www.KnifeSteelNerds.com - Steel Metallurgy topics related to knives
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#6

Post by jpm2 »

35 years ago, I worked at a place that had many sets of metal rolls that measured 55"D x 80"L, and 35"D x 80"L. They were all certified at 72 HRC. Wish I had paid attention to the alloy and maker, but the only thing that jumped out reading the cert was the hardness.
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#7

Post by SpyderEdgeForever »

Thank you for the news on this new steel. Very amazing.
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#8

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

Great question Evil.

Traditionally we've been taught you don't get anything for free, and that everything related to steel is a tradeoff.
Based on that line of thinking the hardest steel would certainly be brittle.

But we are also at the cusp of some really wild times in technology. The players (not just the company VBN Components AB) are literally pouring billions into this field now. It's a huge emerging field. Everyone is vying for a slice of the pie. So many huge players are involved now.

Steel mills that have sold off their research departments, are finally getting a bit of competition from these PMAM (Powdered Metal Additive Manufacturing) companies.

To say that we can never escape that old balancing scale, would seem somewhat close minded (but, it's what we're accustomed to).

Perhaps the rules will change a bit. Breakthroughs are happening, and well, I'm hopeful.

There was a quote I read, trying to find it now. When I do I'll add it.
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
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Deadboxhero
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#9

Post by Deadboxhero »

Show me the barstock or it's not real :D
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Chris_P_Bacon
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#10

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

jpm2 wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:07 pm
35 years ago, I worked at a place that had many sets of metal rolls that measured 55"D x 80"L, and 35"D x 80"L. They were all certified at 72 HRC. Wish I had paid attention to the alloy and maker, but the only thing that jumped out reading the cert was the hardness.

Yea there's more going on here I think than just the 72HRC. It's related to the cemented carbides. I'm no rocket surgeon and don't pretend to be.

Thankfully, we have Larrin, his insight is much appreciated.
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#11

Post by SpyderEdgeForever »

Like you, Chris, I believe 3d printing and its more advanced variations, as time goes on, will prove to the skeptics to yield all that conventional steel-making gives us, as well as new properties that fundamentally change the way things are in the materials world. I am also very glad that Sal, Eric, and others at Spyderco are keen to stay on the cutting edge of these developments.

Thank you again for this new information.
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#12

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

Deadboxhero wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:20 pm
Show me the barstock or it's not real :D
Image
Last edited by Chris_P_Bacon on Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
Chris_P_Bacon
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#13

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

Chris_P_Bacon wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:30 pm
Deadboxhero wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:20 pm
Show me the barstock or it's not real :D
lol That's the beauty of it, there is no bar stock in the traditional sense. They can 3d a rough blade easily enough though, for a fee.
But, I know you were just razzin' me.

https://youtu.be/pyUusVcyGOY
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
Chris_P_Bacon
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#14

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

Chris_P_Bacon wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:30 pm
Deadboxhero wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:20 pm
Show me the barstock or it's not real :D
vid says "any shape", so barstock is possible, but they could cut out the rough blade, and rough the angle. Saving you a pile of belts.

https://youtu.be/6vkmClVyvVI
Last edited by Chris_P_Bacon on Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
Chris_P_Bacon
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#15

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

SpyderEdgeForever wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:28 pm
Like you, Chris, I believe 3d printing and its more advanced variations, as time goes on, will prove to the skeptics to yield all that conventional steel-making gives us, as well as new properties that fundamentally change the way things are in the materials world. I am also very glad that Sal, Eric, and others at Spyderco are keen to stay on the cutting edge of these developments.

Thank you again for this new information.
Well spoken Sir, preach it brutha!

You're quite welcome.

Listing more by them as well, stay tuned...
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
Chris_P_Bacon
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#16

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

VBN Components AB, has a total of Five new alloys, which they use in the PMAM process based on Electron Beam - Powder Bed Fusion [EB-PBF].

Vibenite 150 ~7% carbides, range 55-63 HRC
Vibenite 280 ~20%carbides, range 63-70 HRC
Vibenite 290 ~25%carbides, range 68-72 HRC, World's Hardest Steel
Vibenite 350 ~20%carbides and nitrides, range 60 HRC, Corrosion Resistant
Vibenite 480 ~65%carbides, range 66 HRC, Hybrid Carbide Metal
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
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Deadboxhero
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#17

Post by Deadboxhero »

I still feel that the more conventional pm steels have a lot of potential not fully realized. There are also some steels we have yet to see. Not quite time to jump ship yet boys.
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Chris_P_Bacon
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#18

Post by Chris_P_Bacon »

Deadboxhero wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:28 pm
I still feel that the more conventional pm steels have a lot of potential not fully realized. There are also some steels we have yet to see. Not quite time to jump ship yet boys.
Agreed, just wanted to say.

CPM S35VN was one of the only steels designed specifically for cutting blades/knives. But isn't wildly different than S30V (which everyone knows).

Till now, so was great seeing V290. Instantly grabbed my attention.
Currently have 163 :spyder: 's & 41 different steels.
Bench Stones Atoma Diamond Plate 140,400,600,1200. Naniwa Chosera 400,800,1000,3000,5000.
Shapton Glass 1000,6000. Suehiro Rika 5000. Shapton Pro 320,1000,2000,5000,8000.
Naniwa Bonded Diamond 400,600,800,1000,3000,6000. Venev Gen2 OCB Combo Diamond 800/1200.
Spyderco 306UF, 306CBN. Doublestuff2 303FCBN2, & 204MF Sharpmaker w/204CBN for Spidie Edges.
Want List Steels 15V, S125V, K490, M398, Magnacut, S390, SRS-15, Vanadis 8, Vanax SC, Vancron SC,
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#19

Post by Deadboxhero »

Chris_P_Bacon wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:39 pm
Deadboxhero wrote:
Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:28 pm
I still feel that the more conventional pm steels have a lot of potential not fully realized. There are also some steels we have yet to see. Not quite time to jump ship yet boys.
Agreed, just wanted to say.

CPM S35VN was one of the only steels designed specifically for cutting blades/knives. But isn't wildly different than S30V (which everyone knows).

Till now, so was great seeing V290. Instantly grabbed my attention.
There is a new generation of brilliant minds working towards building the future of high performance knife steels. One of the leaders of that charge is Larrin. I feel we forget that he is not just another knife guy writing articles, he is actually a full blown professional Metallurgist and is very talented one as well. It will be facinating to watch things evolve in the next few years.
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Re: Vibenite 290, Hardest Steel in the World?

#20

Post by jpm2 »

Cool animations, I'd like to see the real thing.
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