Plate quenching

Stacy (or anyone) A question here, when equalizing is mentioned, it's usually to hold at the temperature for a few minutes to all equalizing. Since the idea is to let the blade & oven all reach the same temperature - as slow as most ovens increase temperature, especially above 1500ºF, is the blade not the same temperature as the oven as the temperature increases? This is with the understanding the blade is put in oven at a lower temperature.

Ken H>
 
The equalizing step at 1200-1400F is to allow the steel to come up to the austenite transformation point. Above that, it stays austenite and the excess carbon is going into solution to form carbides.

Most HT oven controllers have a heating rate max of 9999. Theoretically, this is 9999 degrees per hour heat up rate. In practicality, it just means "full throttle".
 
Thanks for the response Stacy - and I apologize to the OP for thread getting away from quench plates.

Perhaps I've had a mis-understanding about the term "equalize" - I was thinking it was only to get complete blade to same temperature as oven. Do you mean the blade needs to be held at the austenite transformation point for the equalize time.... say 5 minutes, or 10 - depending on steel? The Evenheat oven I've got (240 VAC 18" model) heats so slow the usual blade of 1/8" or less thickness will be evenly heated with the oven as the temperature rises with no pause at equalize temperature. BUT - "IF" the steel needs to be held at that temperature for a time, then I now better understand the hold time - is this the case?

Ken H>
 
No, you are correct in that it means to become completely equal to the oven setting. The reason for this rest is to allow the structure time to change before ramping up higher.
 
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