Abstract: The present invention provides increased recovery in additive-enhanced or alloy-enhanced molten steel. This is accomplished by deoxidizing powders blended with the additive alloys. The deoxidizing powder reacts with the oxygen, thereby depleting the oxygen in this region. The alloy or additive region is enriched, thereby improving the recovery in the molten steel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting tool insert preferably for machining of hardened steel, hot and cold working tool steel, die steel, case hardened steel, high speed steel and ductile grey cast iron and composed of a composite comprising from about 30 to less than about 60 vol-% of a cBN-phase and a binder phase comprising a titaniumcarbonitride phase and a TiB2 phase. According to the invention, in the XRD pattern from the composite using CuK?-radiation the peak height ratio of the strongest TiB2 peak and the strongest cBN peak is less than about 0.02.

Abstract: The present invention provides a worked molybdenum-alloy material that can be used at higher temperatures than at least temperatures at which known TZM alloys are used. A worked molybdenum-alloy material having high strength and high toughness includes at least one of carbide particles, oxide particles, and boride particles and fine nitride particles dispersed by internal nitriding of an untreated worked molybdenum-alloy material in which a nitride-forming-metal element is dissolved to form a solid solution in a molybdenum matrix and at least one of carbide particles, oxide particles, and boride particles is precipitated and dispersed.

Abstract: Hardmetal compositions each including hard particles having a first material and a binder matrix having a second, different material comprising rhenium or a Ni-based superalloy. A two-step sintering process may be used to fabricate such hardmetals at relatively low sintering temperatures in the solid-state phase to produce substantially fully-densified hardmetals.

Abstract: The throw-away tip has a shape of substantially flat plate, comprising from 1 to 30% by weight of binder phase comprising at least one kind of Co and Ni, and 70 to 99% by weight of carbonitride phase comprising composite metal carbonitride of Ti and one or more kind other than Ti among metals of groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table, wherein the mean grain size of the carbonitride phase is 1.5 ?m or less, while flexural strength test pieces which are cut out of ten throw-away tips including the side face thereof show flexural strength with a Weibull coefficient of 5 or higher. Throw-away tips having fine carbonitride phase structure and high cutting performance can be made with less variance among individual throw-away tips.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy containing Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, 9-14 at % Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 1-<3 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores should be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The alloy is particularly useful for milling of steel.

Abstract: After an alloy powder including W, Cr, at least one of Ti, Zr, and Hf, and at least one of V, Nb, and Ta is produced, the alloy powder, a powdery carbon material, and a catalyst are heat-treated in the presence of a nitrogen gas. The alloy powder is carbonitrided into a multicomponent ceramics powder, and sintered into a sintered body. Alternatively, a powder of a first substance including at least two of Ti, Al, V, Nb, Zr, Hf, Mo, Ta, Cr, and W is molded into a molded body. Then, the surface of the molded body is surrounded by a second substance including a metal element which is not contained in the powder of the first substance, and the molded body is heat-treated in an atmosphere in which N is present. A porous sintered body thus produced is crushed into a multicomponent ceramics powder.

Abstract: A cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS)X comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ), a binder phase (RS) and X wherein X is at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxide dispersoid E, an intermetallic compound F and a derivative compound G wherein said ceramic phase (PQ) is dispersed in the binder phase (RS) as particles of diameter in the range of about 0.5 to 3000 microns, and said X is dispersed in the binder phase (RS) as particles in the size range of about 1 nm to 400 nm.

Abstract: The invention includes a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ) (RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and a binder phase (RS) wherein, P is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Mn and mixtures thereof, Q is carbonitride, R is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises at least one element selected from Cr, Al, Si and Y.

Abstract: A cemented carbide including WC, a binder phase based on Co, Ni or Fe, and gamma phase, in which said gamma phase has an average grain size <1 ?m. A method of making the cemented carbide is provided in which the powders forming gamma phase are added as mixed cubic carbides of one or more of Ti, Ta, Nb, Zr, Hf and V, and a ratio, fWC, between an amount of WC (in mol fraction of WC) and an equilibrium gamma phase WC content at a sintering temperature (in mol fraction WC) is given by fWC=xWC/xeWC, wherein fWC is 0.6 to 1.0.

Abstract: A method of production of large Ingots of neutron attenuating composites using a vacuum-bellows system allows for large cross-sectional shapes to be extruded and rolled. This method uses a vacuum-bellows technology which allows the manufacturing of large 8–16 inch diameter ingots (50–450 lbs. each). A variety of primary metal matrix materials can be used in this technology. High specific strength and stiffness can be achieved because the technology allows for final densities of 99% and higher. The vacuum-bellows technology allows metals and ceramics to blend and mesh together at compression pressures of 800 tons with elevated temperatures. The controlled compression movement allows for any oxide layer, on the metal, to be broken up and consolidated with the chosen ceramic particulate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting tool insert for metal machining comprising tungsten carbide in a binder phase of tungsten or a tungsten alloy. The insert contains, in addition, W2C in an amount such that in the x-ray diffraction pattern the peak ratio W2C(101)/W(110) is <0.3. This particular microstructure is obtained by an additional heat treatment at about 1200° C. after the sintering.

Abstract: A cutting insert exhibiting excellent chipping resistance made of cubic boron nitride based ultra-high pressure sintered material.

Abstract: A machining surface of a machining tool such as a drill is composed of a metal-rich section. A ceramics-rich section is formed centrally in the drill. Further, a gradient section is provided between the ceramics-rich section and the metal-rich section. In the gradient section, the composition ratio of metal is gradually increased from the ceramics-rich section to the metal-rich section. That is, the drill is composed of the gradient composite material in which the composition ratio of ceramics is increased and the composition ratio of metal is decreased inwardly from the machining surface.

Abstract: Hardmetal compositions each including hard particles having a first material and a binder matrix having a second, different material comprising rhenium or a Ni-based superalloy. A two-step sintering process may be used to fabricate such hardmetals at relatively low sintering temperatures in the solid-state phase to produce substantially fully-densified hardmetals.

Abstract: A preform for use in a metal matrix composite, particularly for a magnesium metal composite. In the preform the reinforcing material typically is silicon carbide, boron nitride, titanium nitride, carbon or graphite. The binder used in the preform is sintered magnesium fluoride, which avoids the known problems which result from the high reactivity of molten magnesium metal with other binders, such as silica and alumina, which results in the formation of magnesium oxide in the reinforced composite. The presence of magnesium oxide crystals in the metal matrix adversely affects the properties of the composite. The preform generally has a void volume of from about 50% to about 95%.

Abstract: A high-strength and high-toughness ferritic steel having a tensile strength of not less than 1,000 MPA and a Charpy impact value of not less than 1 MJ/m2 is provided. A ferritic steel comprising, by weight, not more than 1% Si, not more than 1.25% Mn, 8 to 30% Cr, not more than 0.2% C, not more than 0.2% N, not more than 0.4% O, a total amount of not more than 12% of at least one compound-forming element selected from the group of Ti, Zr, Hf, V and Nb in amounts of not more than 3% Ti, not more than 6% Zr, not more than 10% Hf, not more than 1.0% V and not more than 2.0% Nb, also containing where necessary not more than 0.3% Mo, not more than 4% W and not more than 1.6% Ni, and the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and having an average crystal grain size of not more than 1 &mgr;m, can be obtained by a method comprising encapsulating a steel powder produced by mechanical alloying, and subjecting the encapsulated steel powder to plastic deformation.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy manufactured high speed steel with a high content of nitrogen in the form of a body formed through consolidation of alloyed metal power has the chemical composition in weight-% ; 1-25 C, 1-3.5 N, 0.05-1.7 Mn, 0.05-1.2 Si, 3-6 Cr, 2-5 Mo, 0.05-5W, 6.2-1.7 (V+2 Nb), balance iron and unavoidable impurities in normal amounts, wherein the amount of, on one hand, the carbon equivalent, Ceq, expressed as formula (I), and, on the other hand, the vanadium equivalent, Veq, expressed as Veq=V+2 Nb, are balanced relative to each other such that the amounts of said elements, express in term of said equivalent, will lie within the area A1-B1-C1-D1-A1 in the system of co-ordinates in the figure, in which the Ceq/Veq-co-ordinates of the points A1-D1 are A1: 4.5/17; B1: 5.5/17; C1: 2.5/6.2; D1; 1.5/6.2.

Abstract: A sintered cubic boron nitride (cBN) compact for use in a tool is composed of between about 60 and 80 vol-% cBN having a volumetric mean particle size of between about 3 to 6 &mgr;m and between about 40 and 20 vol-% of a ceramic binder phase. The ceramic binder is composed of between about 20 and 60 vol-% of one or more of a carbide, nitride, or boride of a Group IVB or VIB metal, and between about 40 and 80 vol-% of one or more of carbides, nitrides, borides, or oxides of aluminum. The cBN compact additionally contains between about 3 and 15 wt-% tungsten. The cBN compacts are especially useful in machining iron and like chemically reactive parts, especially where such parts are powder metal parts.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy containing Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, 9-14 at % Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 1-<3 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores should be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The alloy is particularly useful for milling of steel.

Abstract: A die (20) comprises metal-rich sections (40a, 40b) which form an inner wall and an outer wall of the die (20), respectively. Gradient sections (42a, 42b) are disposed adjacent to the metal-rich sections (40a, 40b), respectively. Further, a ceramics-rich section (44) is disposed between the gradient sections (42a, 42b). A punch (30) comprises an inner ceramics-rich section (46), a gradient section (50), and an outer metal-rich section (48). In the die (20), the composition ratio of metal gradually decreases from the metal-rich sections (40a, 40b) to the ceramics-rich section (44). Similarly, in the punch (30), the composition ratio of the metal gradually decreases from the metal-rich section (48) to the ceramics-rich section (46).

Abstract: A method of production of large Ingots of neutron attenuating composites using a vacuum-bellows system allows for large cross-sectional shapes to be extruded and rolled. This method uses a vacuum-bellows technology which allows the manufacturing of large 8-16 inch diameter ingots (50-450 lbs. each). A variety of primary metal matrix materials can be used in this technology. High specific strength and stiffness can be achieved because the technology allows for final densities of 99% and higher. The vacuum-bellows technology allows metals and ceramics to blend and mesh together at compression pressures of 800 tons with elevated temperatures. The controlled compression movement allows for any oxide layer, on the metal, to be broken up and consolidated with the chosen ceramic particulate. One application is to blend boron-rich ceramics and high purity (99.5-99.99%) aluminum particulates together and produce a large ingot using this vacuum-bellows technology.

Abstract: An abrasive and wear resistant material comprises a mass of carbide particles, a mass of cubic boron nitride particles, and a bonding metal or alloy, bonded into a coherent, sintered form. The cubic boron nitride particle content of the material is from 10% to 18% inclusive by weight, the particle size of the cubic boron nitride is less than 20 micron or less, and the material is substantially free of hexagonal boron nitride. The abrasive material is of particular use in tool components or inserts for application in the abrading of wood and other lignocellulosic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon nitride-based sintered body having excellent mechanical properties from room temperature to a medium-low temperature range, a low friction coefficient and excellent wear resistance; a raw material powder for the sintered body; a method of producing the raw material powder; and a method of producing the sintered body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum composite material having neutron absorbing power that improves the ability to absorb neutrons by increasing the content of B, while also being superior to materials of the prior art in terms of mechanical properties and workability. The aluminum composite material having neutron absorbing power contains in Al or an Al alloy matrix phase B or a B compound having neutron absorbing power in an amount such that the proportion of B is 1.5% by weight or more to 9% by weight or less, and the aluminum composite material has been pressure sintered.

Abstract: Sintered cermet materials far tools such as cutting tools, which are excellent in heat resistance, wear resistance and fracture resistance, are inexpensive, and have long life time, and a method for producing such sintered cermet materials. The sintered cermet materials for tools are composed of sintered bodies which are obtained by preparing a mixed powder containing powders of TiCN, Si3N4, Al2O3, CrxN (x=1-2.7 and ZrN, at least one powder of W and WC, and at least one kind of metal powder selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Ta and Mo, and sintering the mixed powder .

Abstract: A TiCN-based cermet comprises 5-25 weight % of a binder phase mainly composed of Co and/or Ni, the balance being substantially a hard phase and inevitable impurities, the hard phase being mainly composed of carbide, nitride and/or carbonitride and containing at least Ti and W, the cermet having a cross-section microstructure in which the number of Ti-rich particles having an area of 0.02 &mgr;m2 or more is 1000 or less per a unit area of 1000 &mgr;m2.

Abstract: There is proposed a tool with a tool body and a wear resistant layer system, which layer system comprises at least one layer of MeX. Me comprises titanium and aluminum and X is nitrogen or S carbon. The tool has a tool body of high speed steel (HSS) or of cemented carbide, but it is not a solid carbide end mill and not a solid carbide ball nose mill. in the MeX layer the quotient QI as defined by the ratio of the diffraction intensity I(200) to 1(111) assigned respectively to the (200) and (111) plains in the X ray cdffraction of the material using &thgr;-2&thgr; method is selected to be ≧1. Further, the I(200) is at least twenty times larger than the intensity average noise value, both measured with a well-defined equipment and setting thereof.

Abstract: A superhard filler hardmetal having a superhard material filler, binder metal or matrix and in some instances at least a first hard component is disclosed. The superhard filler hardmetal has a porosity rating of substantially A06, B00, C00 or better and may be essentially pore free, i.e., A00, B00, C00. The superhard filler hardmetal is formed by mechanically mixing a superhard material, in some instances at least a first hard component and a binder metal or matrix precursor, shaping the mixture into a green body and consolidating the green body at a preselected temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form the superhard filler hardmetal. The consolidation preferably occurs without the formation of a liquid in the body and at least a portion of the time at superatmospheric pressure is at the preselected temperature. Diamond filler and boron nitride filler are examples of superhard materials usable as filler.

Abstract: A metal bonded drilling tool which is improved in grinding performance with a long life and can drill a hole in a dry condition without the need for water. The metal bonded drilling tool includes a cylindrical body having an open front end portion, a shank integral with the cylindrical body and having a threaded hole for use in mounting the tool to a rotary tool, and numerous abrasive grains bonded to a front edge of the cylindrical body and to inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of the front end portion of the cylindrical body by a bond member formed primarily of copper alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sintered body of a carbonitride alloy with titanium as main component which has improved properties particularly when used as cutting tool material in cutting operations requiring high toughness. This has been achieved by combining a carbonitride based hard phase of specific chemical composition with an extremely solution hardened Co-based binder phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of making a cemented carbide insert, comprising a cemented carbide substrate and a coating. The substrate contains WC and cubic carbonitride phase in a binder phase based of Co and/or Ni and has a binder phase enriched surface zone essentially free of cubic phase. The binder phase enriched surface zone prevails over the edge. By sintering in an atmosphere essentially consisting of nitrogen the thickness of the binder phase enriched zone can be controlled.

Abstract: A cermet tool is made up of a binder metallic phase forming component of Ni or Ni and Co and a hard phase including a hard phase metallic element component of Ti as its main part and one or more of an additional metallic compound selected from V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. A surface coating layer is formed on the surface of the cermet. The surface coating layer satisfies at least one of the appearance lightness Vs of 6 or more and the saturation Cs of 4 or more. When wear of a tip of a cermet tool proceeds, that part changes its color to a blackish tone (corresponding, for example, to Vs of from 4 to 1 and Cs of from N to 3). By adjusting the appearance lightness and the saturation of the surface coating layer to the ranges described above, a worn part and a non-worn part are easily distinguished by the naked eyes based on the difference in lightness or hue. As a result, distinction of a spent tool and judgement of the life of the tool can be easily conducted.

Abstract: A diamond sintered body having high wear resistance, chipping resistance, shock resistance and thermal conductivity is provided. The diamond sintered body includes sintered diamond particles and a sintering aid as the remainder. The content of the sintered diamond particles is at least 80% by volume and less than 99% by volume. The sintered diamond particles have a particle size in the range from at least 0.1 &mgr;m to at most 70 &mgr;m. The sintered diamond particles next to each other are directly bonded. The sintering aid includes at least one kind selected from tungsten, iron, cobalt and nickel. The percentage of the tungsten in the sintered body is in the range from at least 0.01% by weight to at most 8% by weight.

Abstract: A composite body of a microwave sintered composition of a cermet or hard metal as a modified surface layer which can promote the microwave sintering and can be of a thickness of 0.01 to 1 mm with a density gradually decreasingly inwardly or a thickness up to 1 mm and having locally distributed compacts therein or which can be a layer of a thickness of 1 to 10 mm of a substantially pure metal or which can have a binder metal removed to a depth of about half the grain thickness of a hard material such as WC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a sintered body of carbonitride alloy with titanium as main component which does not have a binder phase layer on the surface after sintering. This is obtained by performing the liquid phase sintering step of the process at 1-80 mbar of CO gas in the sintering atmosphere.

Abstract: An uncoated titanium-based carbonitride cutting tool insert with superior plastic deformation resistance and wear resistance is provided. This is accomplished by heat treating the material in nitrogen atmosphere under conditions to obtain a nitrogen rich surface zone, also containing substantial amounts of binder phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steel having the following alloy composition in weight-%: 1.4-1.6 (C+N), max. 0.6 Mn, max. 1.2 Si, 3.5-4.3 Cr, 1.5-3 Mo, 1.5-3 W, wherein 6<W.sub.eq <9, and W.sub.eq =% W+2.times.% Mo, 3.5-4.5 V, max. 0.3 S, max. 0.3 Cu, max. 1 Co, a total amount of max. 1.0 of Nb+Ta+Ti+Zr+Al, a total amount of 0.5 of other elements, including impurities and accessory elements in normal amounts, balance iron, and with a microstructure substantially consisting of a martensitic matrix and in the matrix 2-15, preferably 5-10 volume-% undissolved hard products having the particle size 0.1-3 .mu.m, said hard products being of MX-type, where M is V and X is C and/or N, wherein 40-60% of the C and N content of the alloy is bound to vanadium as carbides and/or as carbo-nitrides, and a functional amount of hard products precipitated in the martensitic matrix after solution heat treatment of the steel at a temperature between 1000 and 1225.degree. C. and tempering at least twice for at least 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to bullets having increased frangibility (or which can be easily fragmented) and to materials and processes for the manufacture of such bullets. The bullets of the present invention are typically made from copper or copper alloy powders (including brass, bronze and dispersion strengthened copper) which are pressed and then sintered under conditions so as to obtain bullets with the desired level of frangibility. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the bullets also contain several additives that increase or decrease their frangibility.

Abstract: Cermets having a Co--Ni--Fe-binder are described. The Co--Ni--Fe-binder is unique in that even when subjected to plastic deformation, the binder substantially maintains its face centered cubic crystal structure and avoids stress and/or strain induced phase transformations. Stated differently, the Co--Ni--Fe-binder exhibits reduced work hardening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sintered body of titanium-based carbonitride alloy comprising hard constituents containing at least tungsten in addition to titanium in a binder phase based on cobalt. There are four distinctly different microstructural components, namely: A) cores which are remnants of and have a metal composition determined by the raw material powder; B) tungsten-rich cores formed during the sintering; C) outer rims with intermediate tungsten content formed during the sintering; and D) a binder phase of a solid solution of at least titanium and tungsten in cobalt. Toughness and wear resistance are varied by adding WC, (Ti,W)C, and/or (Ti,W)(C,N) in varying amounts as raw materials.

Abstract: A titanium-based carbonitride cutting tool insert with superior thermal shock resistance is disclosed. This is accomplished by sintering the material under conditions where the melting process is reversed. The melt forms in the center of the material first and the melting front propagates outwards towards the surface. This leads to minimal porosity and a macroscopic cobalt depletion towards the surface. The cobalt depletion, in turn, leads to a favorable compressive residual stress in the surface zone.

Abstract: A cutting insert that has a flank face and a rake face and a cutting edge at the juncture thereof. The substrate presents a bulk region that contains a metallic binder, as well as one or more of Group IVB, Group VB, and Group VIB metal carbides and/or carbonitrides. The substrate further includes a flank surface region near the flank face of the substrate that has a solid solution metal carbide and/or carbonitride content greater than that of the bulk region. The substrate includes a rake surface region near the rake face of the substrate with a solid solution metal carbide content that is less than that of the flank surface region.

Abstract: An extruded metal matrix composite incorporates boron carbide in fine particulate form. The composition is useful as a radiation shield.

Abstract: An improved coldforming tool made of a zone in a tungsten carbide-cobalt cemented carbide is disclosed. The tool, preferably a wire drawing nib, contains WC with a mean grain size of 1.5-2 .mu.m and 5-7 weight % Co and with a carbon content close to saturation level and sufficient to exhibit cobalt magnetic measurements of 92%-98% of that of pure cobalt.

Abstract: A titanium carbonitride-based alloy which is excellent in chipping resistance and wear resistance is disclosed. A hard phase is a carbide (TiMC), a nitride (TiMN) or a carbonitride (TiMCN) of Ti and at least one metal (M), other than Ti, selected from those belonging to the groups IVa, Va and VIa of the periodic table. A binder phase contains Co and Ni as main components. When the structure of the titanium-based alloy is observed with a scanning electron microscope, particles forming the hard phase in the alloy have black core parts which are located on core portions to appear black and peripheral parts which are located around the black core parts to appear gray. Assuming that A and B represent particles having the black core parts occupying areas of at least 30% of the overall particles A and those having the black core parts occupying areas of not more than 30% of the overall particles B respectively, the area ratio of the particles A to the particles B satisfies a condition of 0.3.ltoreq.A/(A+B).ltoreq.0.

Abstract: A high vanadium, powder metallurgy cold work tool steel article and method for production. The nickel, chromium, vanadium, and carbon plus nitrogen contents of the steel are controlled during production to achieve a desired combination of corrosion resistance, metal to metal wear resistance, and hardenability.

Abstract: The quantity of impurities in a magnetic material is decreased to produce a magnetic material with good quality, and a decrease in the cost of the magnetic material is realized by desulfurization. A magnetic raw material for metallic thin film magnetic recording media which contains sulfur more than 20 ppm is desulfurized to obtain the magnetic material for metallic thin film magnetic recording media with the sulfur content adjusted to 20 ppm or below, and a metallic thin film magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer vaporized thereon with the magnetic material is fabricated.

Abstract: An improved diamond sintered body having an excellent breakage resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance and wear resistance and capable of being sintered at a relatively low pressure and low temperature can be provided. The feature thereof consists in a diamond sintered body comprising 50 to 99.9 volume % of diamond and the balance of a binder phase consisting of a single or mixed phase of a compound (C) or composite (C') of at least one element (A) selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements, Group 3B, 4A, 4B and 6B elements of Periodic Table, iron group, Mn, V, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with a phosphorus compound (B), or of the above described compound (C) or composite (C') with an oxide of (A).

Abstract: A high vanadium, powder metallurgy cold work tool steel article and method for production. The nickel, chromium, vanadium, and carbon plus nitrogen contents of the steel are controlled during production to achieve a desired combination of corrosion resistance, metal to metal wear resistance, and hardenability.