Ghost Squire: I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but, the long and short of soak times (forgive the pun) is that while not necessary for enhanced heat treatment results, oversoaking at the correct Austenitizing temperature is not nearly as detrimental as undersoaking is.
Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, I'm referring to Austenizing in the middle of the range for a given steel, NOT the high side. That's a whole different animal. Temperature control is far more important than time control when your concern is grain growth.
For example, I soak my A2 blades at 30 minutes minimum, for 5/32" stock, Austenitizing at 1750F (dead center in the range). I could go to 40 or even 45 minutes without noticeably changing the properties of the finished blade. But, I would not want to soak for only 15 minutes. I will add that I am blessed with an incredibly accurate furnace.
I can't think of a single steel I have heat treated that Austenitizes under 2000F where an extra 5 or 10 minutes at temp would have any negative effect.
I hope this helps you.
Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, I'm referring to Austenizing in the middle of the range for a given steel, NOT the high side. That's a whole different animal. Temperature control is far more important than time control when your concern is grain growth.
For example, I soak my A2 blades at 30 minutes minimum, for 5/32" stock, Austenitizing at 1750F (dead center in the range). I could go to 40 or even 45 minutes without noticeably changing the properties of the finished blade. But, I would not want to soak for only 15 minutes. I will add that I am blessed with an incredibly accurate furnace.
I can't think of a single steel I have heat treated that Austenitizes under 2000F where an extra 5 or 10 minutes at temp would have any negative effect.
I hope this helps you.