Jim Adams Customs
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I tried to heat treat couple of CPM154 blades and they only harden to about 41 RC. I could use all the help I can get. What is the best way to heat treat CPM154
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Heat Treating CPM 154
- Thread starter Jim Adams Customs
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 10, 1998
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- 4,860
My heat treat is basically this:
Wrap in 2100 Temp stainless foil. I do not put any paper in the foil pouch. I want the pouch to suck up close around the blade. Putting paper in the pouch puff's it up.
Fast ramp up 1450F, soak 10 minutes, continue fast ramp to 1950F, soak for 30 minutes.
Remove and plate quench between two 1" thick plates of aluminum. I do not remove the blade from the pouch. While quenching, I shoot compressed air between the plates. This cools everything off a little quicker.
The RC hardness I at this point averages around 61.5RC.
I then temper twice at 450F for 2 hours each. The hardness now is 59RC.
Wrap in 2100 Temp stainless foil. I do not put any paper in the foil pouch. I want the pouch to suck up close around the blade. Putting paper in the pouch puff's it up.
Fast ramp up 1450F, soak 10 minutes, continue fast ramp to 1950F, soak for 30 minutes.
Remove and plate quench between two 1" thick plates of aluminum. I do not remove the blade from the pouch. While quenching, I shoot compressed air between the plates. This cools everything off a little quicker.
The RC hardness I at this point averages around 61.5RC.
I then temper twice at 450F for 2 hours each. The hardness now is 59RC.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2009
- Messages
- 676
Simlar to Chuck - we double wrap in 309SS foil - we do use a bit of paper. We don't presoak and normally 45 minutes at temperature. We also plate quench, still in the foil and then cryo overnight. About RHC 63 the next morning. Temper twice at 500F for about RHC 60/61.
Something is drastically off if you are getting 41. What is your process and your equipment?
Rob!
Something is drastically off if you are getting 41. What is your process and your equipment?
Rob!
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2002
- Messages
- 3,974
Some good info here:
http://www.burgessknives.com/media/CPM154.pdf
FWIW, the data sheet refers to an oil quench, but plate quenching works just fine. If you do oil quench, use a slower speed oil (like AAA).
I do very similar to what's already listed: 1450 and equalize (just a few mintes), 1925F soak 30 minutes, plate quench (still wrapped in foil). RC's around 61 or 62. Temper at 400 for around 59RC. If I cryo (I often do), expect a point or two higher in hardness pre-temper, and then temper at a higher temp as Rob suggested. I still shoot for around 59RC.
--nathan
http://www.burgessknives.com/media/CPM154.pdf
FWIW, the data sheet refers to an oil quench, but plate quenching works just fine. If you do oil quench, use a slower speed oil (like AAA).
I do very similar to what's already listed: 1450 and equalize (just a few mintes), 1925F soak 30 minutes, plate quench (still wrapped in foil). RC's around 61 or 62. Temper at 400 for around 59RC. If I cryo (I often do), expect a point or two higher in hardness pre-temper, and then temper at a higher temp as Rob suggested. I still shoot for around 59RC.
--nathan