XB5 (Diamond)

  Everyone has heard about the splendid properties of diamonds. But has anyone heard about diamond steel? This is the well-known XB5 steel which is used to make high-strength knives.  XB5 steel, due to its operational features, has quite a wide range of applications. In the market, you can see both collectable knives with charming engravings and standard kitchen models.   XB5 steel is eminently favoured for manufacturing hunting, fishing, and tourist knives, as they have high requirements. Knives made of diamond steel have the highest strength and better-cutting properties than most knives made from other types of steel.  

Properties of XB5 Diamond steel 

  XB5 steel has high resistance to high temperatures and to deformation. Some 
data about XB5 steel are encrypted in its name: 
X – indicates the presence of chromium in the composition; 
B - the addition of tungsten; 
5 - the percentage of tungsten.  

  Apart from the encrypted data, XB5 diamond steel has the following characteristics: 

• Features of viscosity 455.0 kJ/m2; • Unlimited weldability of the metal; 

• Hardness 62-65 HRC; some manufacturers increase this number to 69-70 HRC;

• Density 7940.0 kg/m3; 

• Melting temperature 1390 C.  

  The very high strength is largely dependent on the quality of the hardening performed, which positively affects the longevity and force of the alloy. The basis of XB5 steel is metal with a carbon (C) content of 1.5%, which has a significant impact on its high hardness. Chromium is the first alloying element to determine the resistance to corrosion processes of the alloy. A minimum of 13% chromium is required to ensure the corrosion resistance of the product. Here, the metal's content does not exceed 0.7, so XB5 is rusting steel. Tungsten is the principal alloying additive, allowing the “diamond” strength. When up to 5% of it is in the alloy, tungsten forms more stable carbides than ordinary iron. Silicon and manganese (0.3-0.4%) take a secondary place; in such small quantities they practically do not influence the metal’s properties, but they help to remove excess oxygen during melting.