Hitachi / Japan

ZDP 189

Powder Metallurgy Stainless Steel62-67HRCPowder Metallurgy

Composition

Core alloying elements define the baseline trade-off between wear resistance, corrosion behavior, and toughness.

Material Overview

ZDP-189, developed by Hitachi Metals, is a Japanese powder metallurgy stainless steel known for exceptional hardness and wear resistance. It contains very high carbon and chromium content, resulting in excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. Due to its extreme hardness, it is less tough and requires careful handling to avoid chipping. Its sharpness longevity makes it a favorite for high-end and precision knives.

Performance Radar

Use four core metrics to understand the usable operating envelope of this steel at a glance.

Edge Retention
Toughness
Corrosion Resistance
Sharpenability
Edge Retention
10.0
Toughness
7.0
Corrosion Resistance
8.0
Sharpenability
6.0

Advantages

  • Exceptional edge retention
  • Very hard and wear-resistant
  • Good corrosion resistance for high-carbon steel
  • Fine-grained PM structure allows for extremely sharp edges

Disadvantages

  • Lower toughness, prone to chipping under heavy use
  • Difficult to sharpen
  • Premium price

At A Glance

Latest super duper PM steel. extremely high carbon and chromium content. C - 3% and Cr - 20%. Very high hardness, several makers harden it to 65 or even 67HRC.

Related Products

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