How hard can 5160 get?

G

gomipile

Joined
Apr 17, 2010
Messages
1,343
I have some extra 5160 stock lying around, and was thinking of making a PSK or something with it. So, since it will be in a small blade, toughness isn't really a design goal.

So, what is the maximum Rockwell C hardness a good heat treater like Peters' can get 5160 to?
 
It will quench at around Rc62. With a proper temper, it will make a good Rc59 blade.
 
Well, I figure for a 1.5" to 2.5" blade, if it quenches to 62 Rc, I should probably be able to leave it there. It's not like that short of a blade will have to withstand much leverage.
 
But then there is edge chipping rather than edge retention. If you use it debone a piece of meat it could chip. Also the stresses of quenching are pretty high. I think Rc59 would be just fine for edge retention.


-Xander
 
As quenched is not blade ready....it will need a temper to convert the "brittle martensite" into "tempered martensite". Rc 59 is a good hard blade, and harder than the bulk of commercial blades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top