AEB-L Tempering Temp Question

i4Marc

i4Marc

Joined
Oct 19, 2011
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I'm making a few kitchen knives at the moment. My procedure was/is as follows:

Foil wrap
Preheat to 1560˚F and equalize (10 min)
Ramp to 1975˚F and soak for 5 min
plate quench between two aluminum 2X4s
Remove from foil and place into sub zero bath (dry ice/alcohol) for 10 min. (I know it doesn't need a soak)
Let return to ambient temp
Into 300˚ oven for first 2 hour temper cycle (Where it is right now)


The chart I have shows 61 HRC @ 300˚F. The person who gave me this recipe tempers at 325˚F for 61.5-62 HRC. The chart shows approx 60.5 HRC @ 325˚F.

My question is, does 300˚ sound too low? Can I get some experienced AEB-L people to give their recommendation for a tempering temp that will net me 61.5-62 HRC?


Thanks, Marc
 
I haven't used aeb-l but I recall reading that it highly benefits from LN cryo over dry ice.

Reading the charts from alpha knife, 300 seems like it will get you near 61 hrc if you use dry ice.
 
I think the instructions I have came from Alpha although my printout has a slightly different chart. The Alpha instructions say "you must use cryo" but says "cool to -95˚F". Dry ice/alcohol will get me there so I think I'm ok. Just trying to nail down the final HRC.
 
I use Alpha's chart, soaking at 1995 and shooting for 61, and get excellent edge retention and stability- that would be in the 400f range, give or take. Note that they have two graphs for different austenitizing temps. The lower temp matches your description.
Hard to believe that 55deg makes that much difference, but it matches my results.
 
I use it at 1995F and soak for 5 minutes. Dry ice/denatured alcohol and two 350F tempers for about 62rc.
 
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