Air quenchable steels

G

GaryinNC

Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Messages
2
I'm looking for information on "air quenchable" steels. I have come across that term a couple of times and am not really sure what it means. Any info would really be appreciated.

I've been making knives for about two years and I just can't get enough info. I have also just found this site. I've been sitting here for two hours just reading all of the questions and answers. What a great site.

Anyway, thanks for any help.

Gary
 
Air hardening steels are those that air cooling is a fast enough quench to harden the steel.They are tipified by the A series tool steels such as A2 which is used by some knife makers. In thin sections some of the oil hardening steels will also harden in air. The speed of quench from the slowest are air, oil, water, brine. The subject of which steels are quenched in what is called Hardenability. Welcome to the forum, it's agood place to learn.
 
Hi Gary,
I am in western NC myself. There are air, water and oil hardening steels. I am more familiar with steels that are forged. Steels like O-1, 5160, and 52100 can all air harden to some extent, but are quenched in oil (or salt etc.) to achieve full hardness. The stain resitant steels like ATS-34, 440C etc. will completely harden in an air quench. Maybe someone with more knowledge than myself can give a better explaination.
Bill
 
Thanks for the replies so quickly, I really wasn't expecting a response tonight.

When you refer to air quench do you mean forced air from a compressor or just removal from the heat. Thanks again.
 
A rapid air quench is sometimes specified on data sheets, although the word 'rapid' may be replaced by another relative word, term or phrase.

In practice, the quicker the quench hardness is optimized, more consistant, and the deeper the hardening - throughout the steel cross section or thickness.

An inexpensive way of rapid air quenching can be acomplished by stacking a couple coffee cans onto a fan and using the contraption as a vertical wind mill. The knife blank is hung in the assembly so that equal air movement is about its perimeter, thereby quenching rather equally and helping to reduce chance of blade warp.

I am glade for you that you finally stumbled upon this site. Not a better bunch will either of us ever meet.

Roger
 
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