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This can be learned by the most recent analysis results published by PANArt on its website today.

Echo Sound Sculpture by Ezahn Bueraheng and the Tzevaot handpan, both known as "nitrided handpans" sent material samples to PANArt in order to be analyzed if the material properties lie within PANArt's patent claims. The patent defines a steel sheet with an iron nitride needle structure of a certain density of the needles. The linear density of the needles is generally between 40,103 m-1 and 80,103 m-1. The analysis of both materials showed that the employed materials do not infringe the PANArt patent.

Usually nitriding companies are not looking for an iron nitride needle structure in the sheet but try to avoid it. They are interested in the thin and hard compound zones of a few micrometers on the two surfaces of the metal sheet that provides a hard surface and a corrosion protection. It was the patented invention by PANArt, that it is the iron nitride structure of a certain density which is required to give the tuner the possibility to work with higher compressive stresses in the material.

So we learned that statements about "nitrided handpans" shouldn't be mistaken with Pang. Not every nitrided material provides the same properties like the Hang and Gubal raw forms and not every tuner is able or interested in using these properties for his hammer work even if his material provides them. Looking at the details is necessary.