Abstract: The present invention includes bainitic steel doctor blades, bainitic steel coating blades, bainitic steel creping blades and bainitic steel rule die knives used in gravure printing, flexographic printing, paper making, die cutting of materials including paper, plastic, foam, leather, etc. Other uses include printing processes such as pad printing and electrostatic printing. The invention also includes an improved method for producing bainitic steel strip. The present invention is accomplished by using bainitic steel components that exhibit superior straightness and wear properties and are bendable around small radii.

Abstract: A doctor blade assembly consisting of a first section and a second section. The first section acts as a backup for the second section. The second section includes a leading portion, which is of a reduced thickness and has a bevel to wipe excess ink from a gravure cylinder. The first and second sections are adhered to each other. The second section can be notched to alleviate the deleterious effects of camber.