What are aviation scissors made of?

Aviation shears need to be strong and durable as they are designed for cutting hard materials. These are hand tools designed to be carried, so they also need to be lightweight.

Steel

Blades need to be strong, so most of them are made from hardened steel. The harder the steel, the stronger the material it will be able to cut. Aviation scissors cannot cut hardened steel, as this will compromise the strength of the blades and may damage the tool.The type of steel from which the aircraft scissors are made is hardened for extra strength. Usually it is chrome molybdenum steel or chrome vanadium steel. The addition of chromium and other elements improves many of the properties of the steel and makes the tool more efficient while keeping it light in weight. However, there are different grades of these steels, so the reputation of a brand and the value of a tool will most likely reflect the quality of the steel it is made from.

Chrome molybdenum steel

The addition of chromium and molybdenum elements to steel improves the hardenability of the alloy, and also increases its strength at high temperatures. Steel also acquires additional corrosion resistance, impact resistance and wear resistance.

Chrome-vanadium steel

The addition of chromium and vanadium to steel also improves strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Vanadium also improves the steel's ability to work at high temperatures and makes it more resistant to corrosion. Generally, vanadium is stronger than molybdenum, but more brittle.

 

Vanadium or molybdenum steel?

There is no single answer to this question, because it depends on the method of steel production and on the amount of alloying elements added to it.

For aviation scissors, their strength is of paramount importance, but they must also have some flexibility so that they do not break with the force required to cut through tough materials.

You will usually find that chrome vanadium aviation shears can cut through tougher and thicker materials than chrome vanadium shears, but chrome vanadium shears are often cheaper.

Titanium nitride coating

The blades of aviation scissors must be not only sharp, but also strong so that they can provide a clean cut when working with tough materials. Some scissors have blades with a special titanium nitride coating, which can be recognized by its yellowish color.Titanium nitride is a non-metallic material with exceptional hardness. A very thin layer of this material on steel increases its strength, makes it more resistant to corrosion and keeps blades sharp longer. However, titanium nitride coatings can be expensive, so the tool can cost more.

Rubber and plastic

Aviation scissors are steel construction, but their handles are covered in a softer material such as plastic or rubber. This coating is provided on the handles in such a way as to make the tool reasonably comfortable to use and therefore reduce user fatigue. Some handles also have grips that prevent the user's hand from slipping onto the blades. The rubber and plastic feel good on the hand so the tool can be used for longer. The main difference between rubber and plastic is that rubber is more heat resistant, while plastic will have a slightly higher impact resistance.

Rubber or plastic?

You can consider the environment in which they will be used to select the appropriate handles. If the scissors will be used at elevated temperatures, you may want to consider using rubber handles, while plastic handles may be more suitable if the scissors are subject to frequent knocks.