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

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2026-01-30
- Length: 38m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=0) Introduction: Scott Roberts and Bodycote S³P Technologies
- [1:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=98) The Kolsterising Process: Physics and Mechanics
- [5:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=305) Comparison to Coatings and Nitriding
- [7:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=458) Industry Applications: Medical, Food, and Oil & Gas
- [11:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=683) Case Studies: Beer Fasteners and Cosmetic Packaging
- [13:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=838) Common Misconceptions About Hardening Stainless Steel
- [18:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=1098) Alloy Variations and Process Modifications
- [21:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=1288) Scaling to Larger Parts for Oil & Gas Valves
- [24:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=1484) Medical and Poultry Blade Success Stories
- [27:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=1672) Limitations: Abrasive Slurries and High Heat
- [30:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-30-s7e5-scott-roberts-the-stainless-steel-hardening-process-most-engineers-dont-kno#t=1817) Emerging Applications: Space and AI Cooling

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Bodycote (company)
- Kolsterising (product)
- S³P (product)
- Boeing (company)
- Lockheed Martin (company)
- GKN (company)
- Inconel (other)
- Hastelloy (other)
- 304 (other)
- 316 (other)
- 420 (other)
- 440 (other)
- 17-4 PH (other)

## Citing this page

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