80CrV2

Gossman Knives

Gossman Knives

Edged Toolmaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Apr 9, 2004
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I've done a search on heat treating this steel and have found various info. Can anyone give a confirmed method of heat treating/tempering it? I'm not forging, doing stock removal. Also which quench, Park AAA or Park 50? Also will cryo be a benefit?
Scott
 
I asked Peters Heat Treating what oil they used on 80CrV2, and Brad said Parks 50 (with cryo).
 
I have used canola on 80CrV2, but have run into a batch that doesn't want to harden in it. This is *not* the latest batch Aldo has; I don't yet have any steel from the new batch. A couple of test pieces hardened in water. I'm about to put in an order for some Parks 50.

Tempering at 350 degrees on a test mule knife gave me good toughness and edge holding. YMMV.
 
Thanks James. Got some 50 on the way to me this week.
Scott
 
Since 80CrV2 is both eutectic and a low alloy, does it need a soak time at austenizing temp? The carbon level says no, but the Parks 50 says yes.
 
RX-79G said:
Since 80CrV2 is both eutectic and a low alloy, does it need a soak time at austenizing temp? The carbon level says no, but the Parks 50 says yes.
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To help distribute the alloying, you bet, soak is a good idea with 80CrV2.
 
From what I've read searching through past threads, seems to be 1500 to 1575 for 10 mins. I just want to know if there is a confirmed HT. Tempering 400 to 450 from what has been written.
Scott
 
Gossman, with 80CrV2 eutectoid steel, it is best to keep the temp around 1500f. I use 1475f with 15 minute soak, P50 quench. 1575 too high, but if you do use higher temp, shorten the soak time. depending on the use of the blade, the temper temperature will vary. I prefer higher RC, so rarely above 400f ~ 61-62,HRC
 
Gossman Knives said:
From what I've read searching through past threads, seems to be 1500 to 1575 for 10 mins. I just want to know if there is a confirmed HT. Tempering 400 to 450 from what has been written.
Scott
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I think 450 is pushing into the TME range. Not much point softening steel if you don't get anything for it.
 
I got one of the first pieces of 80CRV2 from Aldo. Love the stuff. NJSB's steel comes highly spheroidized so it is easy to work with. However, I find is needs some thermal-cycling to get "quench ready"... even for stock removers. After you're done grinding and drilling...

- Heat to 1650F, cool to magnetic.
- Heat to 1550F, cool to magnetic.
- Heat to 1500F, quench in a medium to fast oil.

You can avoid the necessity of an extended soak if you cycle before the final quench. You need to get proper distribution. Spheroidized steel has the carbon all balled up... hence "Spheroid". Soaking at 1525-1550F will do it but I hesitate to austenitize at the high end, on final quench.

I do not cryo. I don't see the benefit being enough to warrant the trouble... unless you are already set up for cryo(every little bit counts, I guess). I have had good results tempering at 425F. IMO, if you are tempering below 400F to keep hardness... you are not nailing the quench as well as you should.
 
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Thanks for the info guys. Talked to Brad at Peters. He said they heat to 1575, hold for 30 mins. quench in Park AAA or 50, cryo and temper at 400 twice. 60/61 rc. I am set up to cryo.
Rick, your info sounds interesting. I'd like to give that a try.
Scott
 
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FYI the manufacturer's spec sheet calls for austenitizing at 1545 - 1615°F with an oil quench with a 66-67 RC max hardness (it doesn't get more specific).
 
Be careful about manufacturer specs... they are often talking about very different cross sections. I'm surprised Peters is using 1575F with a long soak... they must have done their homework, though. Maybe the vanadium can pin those boundaries better than I thought. Scares the hell out of me.
 
So far all the info Brad has told me in the past has been spot on. Same with Scott Devanna.
Scott
 
Rick Marchand said:
Be careful about manufacturer specs... they are often talking about very different cross sections. I'm surprised Peters is using 1575F with a long soak... they must have done their homework, though. Maybe the vanadium can pin those boundaries better than I thought. Scares the hell out of me.
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Rick, just trying to understand: Are you surprised because a temp as high as 1575° with a long soak sounds likely to lead to grain growth, and that it might be okay because the vanadium prevents that growth by "pinning the the boundaries"? If I misunderstood you post, please correct me.

Thanks.
 
Good to know this is how Peters ht 80CrV2, it could serves as a point a reference. 1575F aust temp + 30 minutes sort of to put all carbon in solution (dissolve most spheroidized cementite) and hardening together.

My 80CrV2 hardening aust temp is very low and less than 10 minutes soak. Obvious there are quite a few routes to a HRC restaurant - YFoodMV.

Gossman Knives said:
Thanks for the info guys. Talked to Brad at Peters. He said they heat to 1575, hold for 30 mins. quench in Park AAA or 50, cryo and temper at 400 twice. 60/61 rc. I am set up to cryo.
Rick, your info sounds interesting. I'd like to give that a try.
Scott
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You will have to go over 1600f to get grain growth. Temps above 1500 will result in larger carbides, but not grain growth. Smaller carbides equal a finer edge.
 
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