Which type of steel is specially treated to be resistant to cutting?

Case-hardened steel is specially treated to enhance its surface hardness, making it resistant to cutting and wear. This process involves hardening the outer layer of the steel while maintaining a tougher, more malleable core. The result is a material that can withstand heavy use without significant damage from cutting tools or abrasion, making it invaluable in applications that require durability and strength.

In contrast, low-carbon steel is softer and more ductile, lacking the strength necessary to resist cutting effectively. Acid-bathed steel refers to a cleaning process rather than a treatment to improve hardness, and zinc-plated steel is coated for corrosion resistance, not for enhancing cutting resistance. Consequently, case-hardened steel stands out as the ideal material for applications demanding high resistance to cutting and wear.