52100 carbide size?

[Nathan Akins]

Does anyone know the average grain/carbide size of 52100

Thanks

 

[Alberta Ed]

Very very very small. Can't even measure with my calipers. But that accounts for the extremely fine edge you can get with properly heat treated 52100, one of my favorite steels.

 

[Scurvy092]

.01265747nm

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Here is a sample of BluntCut MetalWorks 52100 - picture taken at 50K BSED (cropped). Those lumpy particles are carbides.

 

[onojoe]

.01265747nm

I would have no idea if that was right, an attempt at humor or something random

 

[Twindog]

Those are extremely small carbides. A sign of an excellent heat treat.

What makes them stand proud like that? Has the matrix been worn down between the carbides during sharpening or grinding?

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Nital 3% etched (dissolved the matrix faster than carbide).

edit to add: Your 52100 knife has similar microstructure as pic-ed. My latest ht gained some additional toughness while retain same strength and probably smaller avg dia carbide size - not sure, I want to spend money on BSED imaging. My(and 99.9% of) optical/light metallurgical microscope resolution is around 250nm, so quite difficult to discern small carbides.

Those are extremely small carbides. A sign of an excellent heat treat.

What makes them stand proud like that? Has the matrix been worn down between the carbides during sharpening or grinding?