Hockey Blades

[mdamson 0]

I was wondering if anyone knows what materials the various manufacturers use for their skate blades, and if anyone knows of about the use of Nitinol 60 in skate blades. I would assume that many manufacturers are using the various alloys of stainless steel but specific alloys would be of interest to me. The reason I ask about Nitinol is that it would seem to be an ideal candidate for skate blades. It is very corrosion resistant, and it can be hardened to 65HRC which is very, very hard. It is also very tough. I have heard arguments that it is actually the corrosion at the very sharpest point that will dull hockey skate blades over time. The additional corrosion resistance of Nitinol would allow the skate manufacturer to make a very hard and durable skate blade with superior corrosion resistance properties. Nitinol is also very hard to machine due to its properties. I have access to a waterjet cutter at work, and someday I would like to buy some Nitinol sheet and give it a go.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

IF it is hard to machine, then it won't sharpen well. It would eat wheels up.

[mdamson 0]

The idea is maybe they wouldn't need sharpening as often. Maybe you could even go a full season with no sharpenings. It may sound crazy, but this material is very unique. It is used in only the best knife blades.

[Larry54 243]

The idea is maybe they wouldn't need sharpening as often. 

Sounds like t-blades. :lol:

[Chadd 916]

The idea is maybe they wouldn't need sharpening as often. Maybe you could even go a full season with no sharpenings. It may sound crazy, but this material is very unique. It is used in only the best knife blades.

The likelyhood is that you would either not get an edge or destroy the wheel. You're going to cause someone a lot of trouble and expense to save yourself a couple bucks on sharpening.

[chk hrd 164]

Just wondering...How does it react to temperature differences? Does it expand and contract differently than stainless making it difficult to keep in a holder?Is it more brittle than stainless and prone to cracking from getting hit (especially when cold)?

Give it a go, it may work good and you could start a new market. Just make sure you tell the guy who sharpens it about the metal before he does it.