16Cr Martensitic Stainless (var. 17)

16Cr Martensitic Stainless (var. 17) is a high-carbon, cobalt-strengthened martensitic stainless steel with elevated vanadium and molybdenum additions designed for extreme hardness and wear resistance. This composition—featuring ~16% chromium, ~13% cobalt, and significant interstitial carbon and nitrogen—targets applications demanding superior strength and corrosion resistance in severely abraded or high-stress environments. It represents a specialty variant optimized for tool steels and precision components where conventional martensitic stainless grades sacrifice either toughness or hardness.