decarb protection: borax?

[dustfurn]

I was thinking about protection against decarburization during soaking at temp. for heat treatment in my propane forge, and I was wondering if applying a liberal layer of borax would help? I know that it prevents oxidation (it's used as a flux, afterall...). Wouldn't preventing oxidation amount to protection vs. decarb?

Thanks,
Dustin

 

[mete]

Your propane /air mix should be adjusted to be slightly rich to minimize decarb and oxidation. Commercial preparations would be a better choice for coating the blade.

 

[burke531]

when heated to melting borax forms boric acid so for a long soak time the action of the acid could cause as much damage as the decarburation