normalizing o1

[ultrahesh]

There is a lot of varying information and opinions on how to heat treat o1 on the internet. Does o1 need to be normalized before hardening? Thanks.

 

[Justin King]

Yes. Normalizing will refine and equalize grain size and relieve stresses caused by rolling, forging, grinding/machining, etc.

 

[LRB]

No. There is no need of normalizing unless the 01 has been forged. It is already as good as it gets as long as it came as spheroidized annealed PG 01. A simple pre-heat soak at 1250° will relieve grinding stresses.

 

[SBuzek]

No. There is no need of normalizing unless the 01 has been forged. It is already as good as it gets as long as it came as spheroidized annealed PG 01. A simple pre-heat soak at 1250° will relieve grinding stresses.

Yep,what he said.
Stan

 

[jawilder]

If I recall, I read where Stacy says to heat it slowly to 1250 and hold for a bit then ramp to temp. I have also read where Kevin Cashen says to heat to 1250 and remove blade to cool, then bring back to heat.

I wasn't sure when I just HT'd a few O1 blades, so I did both. I slowly heated to 1250, held for 5 min, then bring out to let cool. Then back in, heat to 1250, hold for 5, then ramp to temp, hold 20 min, then quench.

I have no idea if I did it right, but that's what I did. I figured it wouldn't hurt it since it was at such low temps.
Jason

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Stress relief is accomplished at 1250 for two hours when a blade is not forged. For hardening I heat to 1200 hold for 15 minutes then ramp to 1475 and hold for another 15.
01 is a great steel to work with its very predictable.

 

[LRB]

Stress relief is accomplished at 1250 for two hours when a blade is not forged. For hardening I heat to 1200 hold for 15 minutes then ramp to 1475 and hold for another 15.
01 is a great steel to work with its very predictable.

Fred, where did you get the info requireing a two hour stress relief soak? Not arguing at all, I am truly interested. I give mine a one hour soak, if two hours will improve my blades, I will do it, but would like more info on it.