S7E5 Scott Roberts | The Stainless Steel Hardening Process Most Engineers Don’t Know Exists

What this episode covers

Scott Roberts, North American Regional Sales Manager for Bodycote’s S³P technologies, explains the Kolsterising process, a low-temperature carbon diffusion treatment that hardens stainless steel and cobalt-chromium alloys without compromising corrosion resistance. He contrasts this diffusion method with traditional coatings and high-temperature heat treatments like nitriding, which often cause distortion, cracking, or loss of corrosion properties. Roberts highlights specific applications in medical devices, such as suture cutters and poultry blades, where the process extends component life and solves galling issues, while noting limitations with high-abrasive slurries and extreme temperatures.