Paragon Limitations

[North Star Forge]

Are there any steels that you can't heat treat in the paragon kiln? In other words, is there much out there that reacquires more than 2000 degrees? Thanks, -Scott

 

[Gene Martin]

BG42 requires a higher heat. I believe (but may be wrong) that S30V has a heat higherr than 200, but also a lower. 9v, 10V and M4 also fit in here.Those are just off the top of my head.

Gene

 

[burke531]

here is the hardening and tempering process for s30v the others are about the same

A Division of Crucible Materials Corporation DS413 11/03 CPM S30V ©Crucible Materials Corp Printed in U.S.A.
Forging: 2100°F (1150°C) Do not forge below 1750°F (950°C).
Annealing: Heat to 1650°F (900°C), hold 2 hours, slow cool no
faster than 25°F (15°C) per hour to 1100°F (595°C), then furnace
cool or cool in still air to room temperature.
Annealed Hardness: About BHN 255
Stress Relieving
Annealed Parts: Heat to 1100-1300°F (595-705°C), hold 2
hours, then furnace cool or cool in still air.
Hardened Parts: Heat to 25-50°F (15-30°C) below
original tempering temperature, hold 2 hours, then
furnace cool or cool in still air.
Straightening: Best done warm 400-800°F (200-430°C)
Hardening
Preheat: Heat to 1550-1600°F (845-870°C) Equalize.
Austenitize: 1900-2000°F (1035-1095°C), hold time at temperature
15-30 minutes.
Quench: Air or positive pressure quench (2 bar minimum) to
below 125°F (50°C), or salt or interrupted oil quench to about
1000°F (540°C), then air cool to below 125°F (50°C).
Temper: Double temper at 400-750°F (200-400°C). Hold for
2 hours minimum each time. (See Table) A freezing treatment
may be used between the first and second tempers. Freezing
treatments help to attain maximum hardenability and must
always be followed by at least one temper.
NOTE: For optimum stress relieving, CPM S30V may be tempered
at 1000-1025°F (540-550°C). Tempering in this range
may result in a slight decrease in corrosion resistance.
Size Change: +0.05 to +0.10% when fully martensitic. The
presence of retained austenite may reduce the net growth.
When tempering at 400-750°F (200-400°C), freezing treatments
may be necessary to minimize retained austenite.
Note: Properties shown throughout this data sheet are typical values.
Normal variations in chemistry, size and heat treat conditions may cause
deviations from these values. For additional data or metallurgical assistance,
please consult your local Crucible Service Center.
Recommended Heat Treatment:
Austenitize 1950°F (1065°C). Quench to below 125°F (50°C).
Double temper at 600°F (315°C) 2 hrs. minimum each temper.
Cool to hand warm between tempers. A freezing treatment may
be added between tempers.
Aim hardness: 58-61 HRC.
Thermal Treatments
Tempering Temperature °F (°C)
Hardness (HRC)
Oil Quench + (200°C) (315°C) (540°C)
Freeze -112°F
Heat Treat Response - Hardness (HRC)
Austenitizing Temperature
1900°F 1950°F 2000°F
(1040°C) (1065°C) (1095°C)
Oil Oil + Oil Oil + Oil Oil +
Tempering Freeze Freeze Freeze
Temperature -112°F -112°F -112°F
As Quenched
400°F (200°C)
600°F (315°C)
1000°F (540°C)
Results may vary with hardening method and section size. Salt or oil quenching will give
maximum response. Vacuum or atmosphere cooling may result in up to 1-2 HRC points lower.
Minimum Time
at Aust. Temp. 30 min. 30 min. 15 min.
Minimum Number
of Tempers 2 2 2
60.5
57.5
57.5
57
62
59
57
56.5
62
57.5
59
59.5
63
60.5
58.5
59
63.5
59.5
59
58.5
64
61
59.5
60
Machinability and Grindability
In the annealed condition, CPM S30V is much easier to
machine than CPM S90V and is comparable to that of
D2. Similar grinding equipment and practices used for
high speed steels are recommended. “SG” type alumina
wheels or CBN wheels have generally given the best
performance with CPM steels.

As you can see the paragon will suite your needs

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Are there any steels that you can't heat treat in the paragon kiln? In other words, is there much out there that reacquires more than 2000 degrees? Thanks, -Scott

The really high alloy stuff which requires high temps to disolve everything. High Speed Steel for example. Most steels you'll be interested in, S30V, 440C, A2, D2, all the plain carbon steels, are done under 2000.

 

[burke531]

here is another chart from crucible. has most of the non stainless alloys on it. as you can see only M2 and T15 takes higher tham 2000 degrees to harden

http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/t&dheattbl.html

 

[Larrin]

S90V isn't possible. The other alloys that use high temperatures (10V, CPM-M4, etc.) can be heat treated lower than 2000F, but not if you want hardnesses above 60 Rc.

 

[JTknives]

i know this an old post but i thought i would shair somthing i found out about the paragon. lots of people use the eavnheat becuse it gets hotter. this is false! the paragon comes set to a max of 2000 but most people dont know that all you need to do is call paragon and tell them what max temp you need to hit and thay will change it for you befor thay ship it. if you allredy have a paragon you just need to send them the control. im getting a small 115v paragon and thay said thay would set it to 2500 max

 

[SteelSlaver]

I would think that the only problem you would have going higher is insulation or element break down. The higher you go I would suspect the shorter would be element life. Other than that it would just be a case of control settings or limitations. By the way on HT and tempering ovens. I just picked up a 110v element for a large welding rod oven. I am going to make another small oven with this element and a pid, insulate it with kao wool and use it to temper. I will let you all know how it works out. Jim

 

[JTknives]

yes no dout that super hlgh temps will shortin life span. but im realy only going up to say 2150 and paragon said that 2200 should not affect life span. where can some one a control to build a Ht ovin

 

[Larrin]

That's very interesting. So if 2200F and below does not shorten life span why did they set it at 2000F?

 

[SteelSlaver]

I don't know how the Paragon swithches its element (s?) off and on or what it uses for a controller. The PIDs at the site I listed on my oven thread will turn a SSR or a relay on and off. The Paragon surely uses one of those and some type controller. If not a PID a SSR (solid state relay) will do it. The ssr tuns the elements off and on the pid senses the temp via thermocouple and swithches the SSR on and off. GL Jim

 

[Rob!]

The Evenheat comes from the factory set for a 2200 degree max - and it too can be reprogrammed for higher. However, I question whether the UL certification would still apply to a kiln set beyond it's standard. specifications.

Rob!