I just finished up an extensive series of tests heat treating 1/4 inch thick 1075. My prolonged results were very dissapointing and, in fact, discouraging. I began by quenching in Brownells Tough-Quench (the quenchant I am now using universally) at 105 F oil temperature. Dismal results. I progressively repeated by eventually lowering the oil temperature all the way down to room temperature. Dismal results. In addition to that I was also tweaking the austenitizing temperature and soak and also quench timing (including interrupted quench and not). DISMAL results. Included was clear water quenching and vegi oil quenching. DISMAL, all. Eventually I started going up in Tough-Quench oil temperature. Things got better. I find now that Tough-Quench pre-heated to about 127 - 130 F and quenching a rather large blade (the WSK I make) for 2 minutes does the trick. On a small test piece of 1/4 inch 1075 by 2 1/2 X 1 1/4 inch one minute in 130 degree Tough-Quench did the trick.
Thought I'd share that. I spent about 10 days on it.
RL
Thought I'd share that. I spent about 10 days on it.
RL
