AUS-10 Steel

Description

AUS-10 is a stainless steel from Aichi Steel Corporation (Japan). With higher carbon content than AUS-8, it offers better edge retention with moderate corrosion resistance. Commonly used in pocket knives, kitchen knives, and hunting knives.

Composition

Element	Content
Carbon (C)	0.95–1.0 %
Chromium (Cr)	13–14.5 %
Molybdenum (Mo)	0.1–0.3 %
Vanadium (V)	0.1–0.26 %
Nickel (Ni)	0.49 %

Properties

Property	Value	Rating (1-10)
Hardness	59–61 HRC	—
Toughness	6–8 ft-lbs at 60 HRC	6/10
Corrosion Resistance	Moderate	6/10
Edge Retention (CATRA TCC)	~400–450 mm at 60 HRC	6/10
Grindability	Good	7/10

Heat Treatment

Step	Temperature / Duration
Austenitizing	1010–1065 °C
Quench	Oil or air
Tempering	150–200 °C (2×)
Achievable Hardness	59–61 HRC

Comparison with AUS-8

Property	AUS-8	AUS-10
Carbon	0.75 %	1.0 %
Hardness	58 HRC	60 HRC
Toughness	7/10	6/10
Corrosion	7/10	6/10
Edge Retention	5/10	6/10

Comparison with Other Steels

Steel	Hardness	Toughness	Corrosion	Edge Retention
AUS-10	60 HRC	6/10	6/10	6/10
VG10	60 HRC	5/10	8/10	5/10
440C	60 HRC	5/10	7/10	6/10
14C28N	61 HRC	8/10	8/10	5/10

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Good edge retention due to high carbon content
Achievable high hardness
Easy to grind
Cost-effective
Vanadium addition improves wear resistance

Cons:

Moderate toughness
Limited corrosion resistance (lower chromium than 440C)
Not suitable for extreme applications

Conclusion

AUS-10 offers better edge retention than AUS-8 due to higher carbon content. The steel is a good choice for users who want better edge retention without giving up stainless properties. For better corrosion resistance, VG10 or 14C28N is recommended.

Sources

Knife Steel Nerds: AUS10 – Japanese Stainless Steel with High Hardness