CPM Heat treat recipe: instructions for heat treat service

J

joshiecole

Joined
Apr 29, 2012
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515
Hi folks,

I'm sending off a couple of 3V blades to be professionally heat treated here in the UK. If I were in the US I'd just send them to Peter's Heat Treat and not have too many worries, but because I'm the UK I need to be very specific in my instructions to the heat treat company.

I've found quite a few threads discussing the merits of various similar heat treatments, but haven't found anything precise enough that I can give that to the heat treat company without worrying about whether I've set the parameters tight enough.

Looking for HRC between 58-61.

I'm new to this steel and knife-making in general so please be gentle with me if I'm being stupid!

Thanks!
 
Thanks for that data sir. But from my research it seems that Crucible's own heat treatment recommendations are not optimized for knife blade performance. I.e. I've read that Bos and Peter's heat treat have tweaked the process a little bit and got increased performance. I believe this is due to cryo and a very rapid quench post austenizing.
 
If you could get Nathan to give you his recipe I'd use that.I remember him talking about it and it seemed very thorough.
Check his youtube video's, the steel he uses is 3v. Good Luck. Lu
 
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Yes Lu!His kind of process is exactly what I'm looking for where you can eek out a better balance of toughness and edge retention at a higher hardness than stated in the crucible data sheet.

From what I can gather the secret seems to be something to do with a very rapid quench between aluminum plates and possibly a snap temper. I can see why makers would be reluctant to be too specific about their own hard-won successes though.
 
On a side note I followed Crus. heat treat for 3 blades(3v) and was able to chop hard wire no chip out.
3v is very tough. Good luck. Lu
 
Josh I think you will find what your looking for on "Hyperfreeblades.com". Good Luck. Lu
 
Lu, this is what I have found from hype free blades. Roman Landes sugests this heat treatment

1st: preheat: 500-600°C, equalize
2nd: preheat:800-900°C, equalize
3rd: Austenize: 1060-1070°C, equalize, soak 30-35min
4th: Very fast quench, possibly with quenching plates
5th: Cryo: immediately after cleaning, at least -80°C or lower soak 30min
6th: without delay, 1st Temper: 150°C equalize, soak 2hrs, quench in water
7th: Cryo again: immediately after temper
8th: 2nd Temper: 180-200°C equalize, soak 2hrs

For 60+ HRC

It sounds about right, but is more involved than some of the other treats I've seen. I guess I'll give it a shot, and report back with some testing.
 
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