Abstract: A low alloy high nitrogen steel includes iron and, by weight 0.14-0.60% nitrogen (N); 0.08-0.28% carbon (C); 0.10-2.20% nickel (Ni); 0.25-2.00% manganese (Mn); 1.20-2.70% chromium (Cr); 0.45-1.50% tungsten (W); not more than 0.05% molybdenum (Mo); not more than 0.02% vanadium (V); not more than 0.60% silicon (Si); not more than 0.10% copper (Cu); not more than 0.02% titanium (Ti); not more than 0.02% niobium (Nb); not more than 0.008% aluminum (Al); and not more than 0.02% of any other element with not more than 0.10% total other elements, wherein cobalt (Co) is substitutable for any part of the nickel.

Abstract: A low alloy high nitrogen steel includes iron and, by weight 0.14-0.60% nitrogen (N); 0.08-0.28% carbon (C); 0.10-2.20% nickel (Ni); 0.25-2.00% manganese (Mn); 1.20-2.70% chromium (Cr); 0.45-1.50% tungsten (W); not more than 0.05% molybdenum (Mo); not more than 0.02% vanadium (V); not more than 0.60% silicon (Si); not more than 0.10% copper (Cu); not more than 0.02% titanium (Ti); not more than 0.02% niobium (Nb); not more than 0.008% aluminum (Al); and not more than 0.02% of any other element with not more than 0.10% total other elements, wherein cobalt (Co) is substitutable for any part of the nickel.

Abstract: A low alloy high nitrogen steel and method of making the same are provided. The method can include forming a steel composition using nitrogen additive constituents and under a first gas atmosphere that can include any of inert argon, nitrogen, or a controlled atmosphere conveying nitrogen. The method can include hot working the steel composition, heating the steel composition to normalize or austenitize, quenching the steel composition at a rate to produce substantially a martensitic microstructure, and heating tempering the steel composition under vacuum or a second gas atmosphere. The second gas atmosphere can include air, controlled atmosphere with ammonia, inert nitrogen, or nitrogen and argon. The steel composition can include iron and, by weight: 0.16-0.60% nitrogen, 0.03-0.20% carbon, 0.10-2.00% nickel, 0.60-2.00% manganese, 1.30-2.80% chromium, and 0.60-1.50% molybdenum. Cobalt can be substituted for any part of the nickel.