Decorative Steel Composition Having a Textured Cyrstalline Surface

Abstract

A decorative steel article having a textured crystalline surface includes a steel alloy, single crystal or large, macroscopic grained crystal body. The steel alloy includes iron and at least one element selected from the group of nickel and chromium. The steel article has a surface characterized by a decorative, macroscopic, martensitic phase surface feature. The decorative steel article is suitable for sundry applications where an enhanced visual appearance is desirable.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method of making a steel article comprising the steps of:
 a. growing a steel alloy body selected from the group consisting of a single crystal and a macroscopic grained crystal, said steel alloy comprising iron and at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel and chromium, said steel alloy body having a surface;   b. cooling said steel alloy body to a temperature less than 250 K,   c. returning said cooled steel alloy body to ambient temperature to alter said surface so that said surface is characterized by at least one decorative, macroscopic, martensitic phase surface feature.   
     
     
         5 . A method of making a steel article in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said steel alloy body comprises a single crystal. 
     
     
         6 . A method of making a steel article in accordance with  claim 4  further comprising an additional step, after said growing step, comprising: polishing said steel alloy body. 
     
     
         7 . A method of making a steel article in accordance with  claim 4  further comprising an additional step, after said growing step, comprising: shaping said steel alloy body by a metal-removal method. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a steel article in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said shaping step comprises cutting said steel alloy body along a plane respective to a selected crystalline plane. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of making a steel article in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said temperature is about 77 K. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a steel article in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said cooling step and said returning step are repeated to enhance said surface feature.