A2 heat treatment?

According to my notes:

1750-1775 F, 20 min soak, plate or slow oil quench, dry ice or cryo, 350-400 F temper

Use ATP 641 anti scale or foil to avoid decarb.
 
That's what I was told also. I'm trying it this afternoon. Since mine arnt full ground I didn't wrap them. How big of deal is that?
 
That's what I was told also. I'm trying it this afternoon. Since mine arnt full ground I didn't wrap them. How big of deal is that?

Decarb becomes more of an issue as temp goes up. I get up to 0.010” of decarb on W2 when cycling at 1650f, then 1450fx2, each for 10 min. Try an experiment. Cut a coupon, heat treat it, grind the end, then etch in ferric chloride or white vinegar to see how deep the decarb is.
 
I have done A2 without a wrap or coating and the decarb was pretty severe. It is the temperature and the time that is the big issue here. Save yourself a lot of surface removal, and decarb spots showing up later on, and wrap the blade. You can plate quench it in the foil, or cut off the end with scissors and oil quench the blade. There is no rush with A2, as you have many minutes to bring it down below 900F.
 
Back
Top