X50CrMoV15 is a high hardness martensitic stainless steel. In strip form, its dominant use is for high quality knife blades.

DIN 1.4116 stainless grade combines the following characteristics:

Very high hardness – Up to 56 Rockwell C
Retention of blade sharpness
Moderate corrosion resistance better than standard 12% martensitic grades
Poor weldability

X50CrMoV15 uses the moderately high carbon content of 0.50% to develop a high hardness martensitic microstructure.

The higher chromium plus small molybdenum addition gives a greater corrosion resistance than standard martensitic grades.

Vanadium allows higher tempering temperatures to be used and gives greater toughness.

Applications which illustrate these features include:

High quality knives, cutting tools, food blades.