Design

  Heat
  Treatment

  Special Surface
  Treatments
 
 

 Special Surface Treatments

Special surface treatments are used for various reasons. While there are many available, a few of the most popular are:
1. Tungsten Carbide Plating. While somewhat expensive, it will increase wear resistance substantially in many situations. it is normally applied to the face of the cutting edge which does not get reground. Regrinding exposes a sharp tungsten carbide cutting edge. 
2. Cryogenic Treatment. Here the knife is deep-frozen below -300°F and then tempered. This is a fairly expensive treatment (priced by weight) but it has shown impressive results in some cases, especially in slitting steel and textiles. 
3. Titanium Nitride Coatings. Has the appearance of gold, but is an ultra-hard material. It provides a nonstick surface with excellent chemical resistance that can withstand elevated temperatures and will not corrode, blister, flake or chip. Treated cutting tools typically last 3 to 10 times longer than uncoated tools. 
4. Teflon Coating. Used to prevent material buildup at the cutting edge, especially when cutting tacky materials such as uncured rubber.