Latrobe BG42® Stainless Knife Steel (AMS 5749)

LESCALLOY® BG42® VIM VAR is a double vacuum melted martensitic stainless high speed steel designed for critical aerospace structural components and high performance bearings. The steel is vacuum induction melted (VIM) and vacuum arc remelted (VAR) to provide the extremely high cleanliness level required for these fatigue-critical applications. When manufactured in sheet form, BG42 has proven to be an excellent knife steel. The very good wear resistance and corrosion resistance result in knife blades which exhibit excellent edge retention and long life. The molybdenum in the steel enhances the corrosion resistance provided by the high chromium content. In addition, the chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium contents provide approximately 19% carbide volume in the steel. This high carbide volume and the presence of very hard vanadium carbides enhance the wear resistance and edge retention of knife blades. The excellent edge retention and good corrosion resistance establish BG42 as an upgrade material compared to the Timken sold Latrobe in December 2006. They are now Latrobe Specialty Steels Co.