Any L6 users?

Milt

Milt

Joined
Nov 16, 2008
Messages
260
I have looked at the specs for L6, and it appears that this is a steel that is not too difficult to HT. I would appreciate hearing from L6 (or 8670M) users.

Milt
 
I stopped using it because it has considerably less toughness and somewhat less strength and hardness and a little less abrasive wear resistance than s5. It's more cheaply available though.
 
Sheesh gonna have to get you guys your own forum, the "S5 lovers anonymous" section, it sounds like the best thing since sliced bread :jerkit:
 
cotdt said:
S5 is a silicon-based steel that is tougher than L6 and can reach higher hardness levels.
Click to expand...

Oh really?

From Crucible's data sheets:

S5 as quenched hardness: 60-61 RC

L6 as quenched hardness: 63-65 RC

You must own the patent for S5. LOL
 
Phillip Patton said:
Oh really?

From Crucible's data sheets:

S5 as quenched hardness: 60-61 RC

L6 as quenched hardness: 63-65 RC

You must own the patent for S5. LOL
Click to expand...

Thanks brother, I wish I did own the patent to S5. No seriously, I've yet to try this steel but have it ordered.

With water quench, S5 could also reach 65 rc as quenched. But what I meant is working hardness, where S5 at 60 rc is much tougher than L6 at 56-58 rc:

http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/champloy.html
http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/labelle.html

L6: Toughness (ft-lb)
300 150 63-65 15
400 205 60-62 43
500 260 58-60 38
600 315 56-58 68


S5: Toughness (ft-lb)
300 150 60-61 49
400 205 58-60 138
500 260 58-59 146
600 315 57-58 142
700 370 56-57 156

As you can see, at 60 rc, S5 is 3x tougher than L6.
 
It's been awhile, all I've got is 3/4" round stock and when I finaly use it up I dought I'll buy more. It's a good steel, but I can get as good or better performance for the trouble out of 5160 or 52100.

It's got enough chrome in it to air harden if not annealed properly and with my set-up it takes a bit of care to keep grain growth down. That said it's a good quality steel and is very tough, but not enough extra toughness or edgholding for me to use it much anymore. Though I wish I had some in flat stock, it works great in damascus.
 
I don't have a steel religion :) Fwiw Ill gladly swap to another material that exceeds that blend of mechanical properties of hardness / strength / toughness. Please show me one!
 
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