How are you doing 440c heat treat

J

J. Hoover

Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
1,782
I have some old stock 440c steel plate that I want to do some blades from for folders. I looked up crucible's data. They show a really low rc of 56 when air quenched and tempered at 400 degrees. Boehler specs show a higher 60-61rc when oil quenched and tempered at 400. I would be plate quenching between two 2 inch thick aluminum plates. Iwould like to hit 58-60rc after temper. Any help here from experience would be appreciated.
thanks guys
 
440C is not going to get in the upper hardness ranges. It works best in the 56-58 range.
Ways to push the hardness up a few points are:
Use the upper austenitization temps
Quench in oil, and then put in the plates
Temper at 350F
Do cryo after the first temper
 
My recipe with my equipment.YMMV
Ramp to 1200 soak 15 min.
Ramp to 1600 soak 15 min
Ramp to 1890 soak 20 min
Plate quench and into LN at room temp minimum 6 hours
warm to room temp then into temper a 375 for 2 hours.
Quench in water and back into temper for 2 more hours.

Consistantly get 60 Rc.

Stan
 
Thanks guys, thats the info i was looking for. This steel is old stock, mid 80's and very clean. It should make some nice Blades.
 
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