440-c

[jrhart50]

I have a ?
Can 440-C be grain refined and how do you do this and what is the outcome from this as a blade steel.
Thanks JRH.

 

[DAMNENG]

Multiple quenches should refine the grain. There has been much discussion as to how many quenches is optimum. I suggest you take a section of bar stock grind one side to a cutting edge and cut off three sections three inches long each. Then heat treat all three at the same time. Pull one sample and repeat the the process for two then for one. Then temper all three at the same time. After tempering, sharpen all three and perform cutting test on rope and cardboard. Pick the process which works best if you determine the additional time is worth the additional performance.

Jim Arbuckle ABS JS.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

That is true for a lot of steels, and may be true for 440C. But a lot of steels like 440c (complex high carbon) can be refined that way if auestenitized at lower than normal temperatures - otherwise a second trip to austenitizing temperatures can actually worsen grain. D2 and M2 for example. They grow very badly on a second trip to normal temp. I don't know about 440C.

 

[Larrin]

Most air hardening steels have the potential for grain growth with improper multiple quenches.