Drawing the temper on stainless steels.

[Frank Niro]

If the resulting hardness that's wanted is achieved in the hardening of ABE-L is it necessary to draw the temper?
Thanks. Frank

 

[Darrin Sanders]

I believe that all steels need to be tempered. I recently discussed this topic with Brad Stallsmith at Peters H/T. His advice was that the minimum tempering temp. on ingot steels is about 300 F & minimum temper on PM steels is 350 F.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yes, the steel needs tempering. After hardening, there are stresses to be relieved and other structures that need to be adjusted. In stainless steel, 300F is a minimum.