Interrupted oil quench for 3v-how long?

J

Justin King

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Nov 8, 2009
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I am thinking about trying an oil quench on a piece of 3v, just to see what I get. Specs say to use an interrupted quench to "about 1000* F. and air cool to below 125 *F". I would be austenizing at 1950 and quenching in Parks AAA at about 100F, unless someone can recommend otherwise. Steel stock is 5/32or approx. .170"
Roughly how long should I be quenching to get below 1000*F.?
 
Never used AAA before... is it clear? Best bet, I'd think, would be to quench until color leaves the blade. Probably ought to do it in low light, to be sure... trying to minimize retained austenite to avoid cryo?
 
AAA is beer-colored when new. Crucible all but states outright that a plate quench is less than ideal for this steel. Since I am set up for it, why not? No reason to be missing something when the oil is right next to the quench plates, right?
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Best bet, I'd think, would be to quench until color leaves the blade. Probably ought to do it in low light, to be sure...
Click to expand...

+1
If dull red is about 900F I would dunk the blades until they turn black and then plate quench to room temp. This is my completely uninformed opinion; I have zero experience with air hardening steels.

I'd love to know more about this. Hopefully somebody will enlighten us :D

EDIT: Found this thread over at Hypefreeblades about 3V. http://www.hypefreeblades.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=77
 
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You'll probably have to try it and see. My wildass guess would be in the neighborhood of 3-4 seconds in, then air quench from there.

Steel that hot, and pulled that quick, the oil on the blade and in the air will ignite. So lean back, eh?

Gonna be some burnt on crud too. Might be a good application for a low temperature salt quench. That's the proper way to quench HSS, and 3V always looked like a HSS to me...
 
you would need to obtain the "quench curve" data/graph from the manufacturer to find out the exact second/time, or you could use a generic "color temp. chart".


palmer
 
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Justin, Thanks for the post. I've been looking for the exact same info for hardening CPM-M4.
- Mitch
 
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