Steel Challenge #1

[Deadboxhero]

Well the polls came in

250 Votes

Steel 1: 44%
Steel 2: 56%

The correct answer is steel 2

@Librarian used simulation software to model elements in solution and an equation to measure the pitting resistance to reflect the enhancement of additional elements besides chromium in solution, He then framed it within the parameters of the steel needing to balance other factors for good heat treatment to make the knife function, not just running the heat treatment for the sake of corrosion without a functional knife.

It was a very logical approach and I liked it.


There is another factor that is involved when the chromium carbide is completely dissolved that most folks did not bring up. I find the mechanism behind that feature fascinating.


I appreciate everyone answering and sharing. I thought this would be a fun challenge because it would test people's assumptions and conventional wisdom into an area that is not intuitive.

I think oftentimes folks put a lot of emphasis on the chemistry of steel, but it can actually be rather difficult to truly assess the properties based on just looking at chemistry alone.


I would ask people to go into the mechanism about why their choice was correct, I got a very wide range of interesting thoughts. We currently have access to a lot more information than we did 10 years ago. So, it was neat seeing how much people have internalized.

I know I've certainly learned a massive amount from @Larrin

There were certainly some imaginative ideas people had for mechanisms. I liked seeing thought processes.

The poll numbers support that without the name of the steel looking at the chemistry alone really challenges our understanding of how things work. So, this was an excellent subject for discussion.

Thank you everyone.

[Pacu0420]

Shawn, this was fun and very educational. Any plans on doing another one?

[Deadboxhero]

Shawn, this was fun and very educational. Any plans on doing another one?

Yeah we can do one once a month or two.

[Pacu0420]

Shawn, this was fun and very educational. Any plans on doing another one?

Yeah we can do one once a month or two.

Sweet! Looking forward to it

[Wandering_About]

Shawn, this was fun and very educational. Any plans on doing another one?

Yeah we can do one once a month or two.

Please do. I didn't add any thoughts here, but appreciated the info and had fun doing a little of my own research to check on my thoughts/knowledge.