Take care,
Mark
P-14 #202 "Apres Vous"
Sunnyvale, CA
Eric Johnson wrote:
> > As a general rule of thumb, the only advantage that stainless
> > steel has over carbon
> > steel is in the area of corrosion resistance. It generally
> > weaker and softer than
> > carbon steel, and is much more difficult to harden, and treatment
> > may require such
> > exotic things as quenching in liquid nitrogen for success.
>
> Are you sure about that? Stainless is, to my understanding and limited
> experience, much harder than carbon steel. Some gunsmiths, for example,
> charge extra for work on stainless guns because of this. I find cutting
> stainless a real chore too. I was also under the impression that its
> stronger than most mild steel.
>
> But I do agree the corrosion resistance is the major plus, if there is
> oxygen present. Below the waterline silicon bronze (if you can find it!) is
> really the best of all as I understand it.