How is laminated steel heat treated?

Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.

Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.

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Title says it all. When a steel is laminated is it heat treated just so that the core steel is at high hardness? Or is the steel heat treated before the laminate layers are welded on?
 
first you laminate your steel. the lamination process involves welding the three layers of steel together. after lamination, you just treat it as one lump from then on.

then cut, shape and grind it to your desired form.

then heat treat it the same as any other steel.
 
The middle layer has the cutting edge, so heat treat is designed to optimize the cutlery properties of that layer. The composition of the other layers is typically such that they will be softer than the core, resulting in a tougher, more shatter resistant blade.
 
Bill1170 said:
The middle layer has the cutting edge, so heat treat is designed to optimize the cutlery properties of that layer. The composition of the other layers is typically such that they will be softer than the core, resulting in a tougher, more shatter resistant blade.
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Kind of like a double decker taco at Taco Bell. :D
 
What I am curious about is if you treat the inside steel to be hard because it will be the edge what happens if the outer softer steel you are using becomes very hard with the same heat treating process instead of remaining soft. Like if you want to laminate a caron inside steel like say 52100 or M4 with a stainless steel like 420 do you have to pick steels that will respond properly during the heat treat so that the outside steel doesn't become over hardened?

Can you not laminate certain steels Combinations?
 
KalEl said:
What I am curious about is..... do you have to pick steels that will respond properly during the heat treat so that the outside steel doesn't become over hardened?

Can you not laminate certain steels Combinations?
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YES, and YES. Those steel combinations are not just randomly picked but are the results of much research by metallurgists at the steel companies.
 
KalEl said:
What I am curious about is if you treat the inside steel to be hard because it will be the edge what happens if the outer softer steel you are using becomes very hard with the same heat treating process instead of remaining soft. Like if you want to laminate a caron inside steel like say 52100 or M4 with a stainless steel like 420 do you have to pick steels that will respond properly during the heat treat so that the outside steel doesn't become over hardened?

Can you not laminate certain steels Combinations?
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Yes, you have to pick certain steels for the outside. The heat treat schedule is picked to optimize the performance of the core. The outer steels have to be picked such that will respond properly to that same heat treat.
 
knarfeng said:
Yes, you have to pick certain steels for the outside. The heat treat schedule is picked to optimize the performance of the core. The outer steels have to be picked such that will respond properly to that same heat treat.
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Thanks! thats what I was wondering.
 
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