Description
AEB-L steel is non-powder stainless steel manufactured by Uddeholm based in Sweden. This steel has been around since the 1960s, and it was designed initially as a razor steel blade.
The steel stands out because of its high hardness, excellent corrosion resistance, ease of sharpening, and exceptional toughness. AEB-L remains popular among knife makers because of its consistency, it is easy to work with, and it attains a full mirror polish finish.
Steel Composition
- Carbon C 0.67%: Increases edge retention, hardness, and tensile strength. It also improves steel resistance to wear, abrasion, and corrosion.
- Chromium Cr 13.00%: Formation of Chromium carbides. Increases the blade’s hardness, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance.
- Manganese Mn 0.60%: improves the strength and hardness of steel. When the steel is heat-treated, hardenability is improved with increased manganese.
- Silicon Si 0.40%: Increases strength and heat resistance.
Properties of AEB-L steel
Hardness: The hardness of AEB-L is 61-62HRC as per the Rockwell hardness scale. However, specific hardness varies with the heat treatment by manufacturers. With proper heat treatment, the hardness of this steel can go as high as 65HRC.
Heat Treatment: AEB-L steel has a simple but effective heat treatment process and is thus loved by most knifemakers. It’s easy to work with and gives good hardness with the right treatment technique. Check Larrin Thomas’s article on heat treatment of AEB-L stainless steel.
Toughness: AEB-L stainless steel offers excellent toughness, better than what is expected from steel with its hardness level. The higher toughness of AEB-L is due to the small volume of extremely tiny carbides that improve its grain structure
Edge Retention: You will be pleased with how long this steel keeps an edge. The good edge retention of AEB-L is associated with the finer carbides in their composition and the high hardness.
Wear Resistance: Another area of excellence for this steel is its wear resistance, which is attributed to its high hardness. With high wear resistance, this steel can withstand everyday wear and tear. Its blades will not deform even with frequent use and sharpening.
Corrosion Resistance: Thanks to the high chromium in its composition, AEB-L offers great corrosion resistance. Knives made from steel can resist rusting even with minimal care. However, this does not mean that you neglect the blades. Proper care helps to boost its corrosion resistance.
Sharpening: Being hard steel, you must be stressed about sharpening. The good news is, despite the high hardness, AEB-L steel is very easy to sharpen. This property is associated with small and fine carbides in its structure. You will be able to attain a sharp edge faster, even with simple sharpening tools.
AEB-L steel is good knife steel because it offers high hardness, exceptional toughness moderate edge retention, and good corrosion resistance. AEB-L stainless steel is also very easy to sharpen. The steel is suitable for making chef’s knives, hunting knives, camping knives, or hiking knives