Re: Machine Shop

On 3/3/2025 6:30 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

 1095 is a steel alloy that can be used for making steel springs.  It
can also be used for making knife blades, where the a springy steel
makes the blade more durable.  The major difference is the steel
spring is fairly thin, while the knife blade is much thicker.  Same
spring effect, but very different products.

OK, to talk some metallurgy: I don't know that 1095 should be described as a "springy" steel, because I don't know what you mean by "springy." It's not a typical metallurgical term.
Maybe you mean it has a higher yield stress? That would mean it could deflect more before a permanent deflection. And springs are called on to purposely deflect.
1095 is popular for knife making, but I think it's more because it's not expensive, while still being easy to heat treat in a way to reach a good compromise between hardness (for edge retention) and ductility (for toughness).
In general, the higher the hardness of a steel, the higher the yield stress and the lower its toughness. That balance of properties can be well controlled by heat treating. Alloying elements can improve that balance.
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- Frank Krygowski