K110
Blade steels
K110 Steel
Description
K110 is a wear-resistant tool steel from Böhler-Uddeholm, equivalent to AISI D2. A “High Carbon, High Chromium” steel with about 12 % chromium and 1.55 % carbon. As a conventionally produced ingot steel (not PM), it offers good wear resistance with moderate toughness.
Composition
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.55 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 11.8 % |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.8 % |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.8 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3 % |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.2 % |
Properties
| Property | Value | Rating (1-10) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 58–62 HRC | — |
| Toughness | Moderate (coarser carbides than PM) | 4/10 |
| Corrosion Resistance | Limited (Cr bound in carbides) | 5/10 |
| Wear Resistance | High (chromium carbides) | 7/10 |
| Grindability | Moderate | 5/10 |
Heat Treatment
| Step | Temperature / Duration |
|---|---|
| Austenitizing | 1000–1020 °C (1830–1870 °F) |
| Quench | Oil or air |
| Tempering | 205–260 °C (400–500 °F, 2×) |
| Achievable Hardness | 58–62 HRC |
Equivalent Designations
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| AISI | D2 |
| DIN | X153CrMoV12, X165CrMoV12 |
| JIS | SKD11 |
| W-Nr | 1.2379, 1.2397 |
Comparison with Related Steels
| Steel | Type | Wear Resistance | Toughness | Corrosion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K110 | Conventional | High | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| D2 | Conventional | High | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| CPM-D2 | PM | High | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| K390 | PM High-Performance | Very high | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| K100 | Conventional | Moderate | 5/10 | 5/10 |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good wear resistance due to chromium carbides
- Equivalent to D2 — proven performance
- Widely available (European alternative to D2)
- Cost-effective compared to PM steels
- Air hardening — low distortion
Cons:
- Conventional production → coarser carbides than PM
- Limited corrosion resistance
- Moderate toughness
- Not suitable for extreme applications
Conclusion
K110 is Böhler-Uddeholm’s equivalent to AISI D2. As a conventionally produced tool steel, it offers good wear resistance with moderate toughness. A cost-effective alternative to PM steels for applications that don’t require extreme performance.
Sources
- Knife Steel Nerds: K110