Question In Hardening An Anvil Type Object

[Serengeti]

I have recently been given an 85 pound 400 series stainless rectangular block. It's magnetic, so I'm assuming it's 400 series. It is abolutely solid and perfectly smooth on all sides, would make a great small anvil, with some weight in the stand. The only problem is that it is soft. How would I determine if this stainless steel is FERRIC or MARTENSITIC. As I understand it, only Martensitic stainless steel can be hardened. And If I can determine if it is indeed Martensitic steel, how would I go about hardening it?

 

[A C Richards]

You need to determine if it is austenetic or martensitic. All steel is ferrous based. As far as HT you would need to find out what type you have. My question is does it have rebound?? If it bounces a ball bearing back into your hand when dropped it has good rebound. You may be able to get along without hardening. I have a 250lb post anvil of mild steel and it works great. I just work hardened the face and have great rebound now. If you need to find out what type of steel it is you may need to slice off a piece and get a spectrograph. if it is strongly magnetic then it is probably 400 series. if it is mildly magnetic then it might be 300. Good luck

 

[fitzo]

In addition to ferritic (409, 430) and martensitic 400 series stainless steels, duplex and precipitation hardening stainless steels are also ferromagnetic. It is going to be hard for you to tell without an analysis.

You might try calling area scrap or steel yards and ask if they have a metal analysis "gun" they can point at it and check it for you. That is a small handheld fluorescence device that many places are using for spot identification nowadays.

 

[DAMNENG]

You might try the direct approach, slice off a thin section and heat it to 1875°F, quench in forced air (fan). If it gets hard you know it is Martensitic. If not weld on a cap.

Jim Arbuckle