Question on Heat Treating CPM154

[Ricky D. Finch]

While going back and checking some post, I found a post about heating treating CPM154 and is was suggest to water quench after tempering. My question is why? Is this better then letting it cool to room temperate or cooling in front of a fan? I just curious about this.

Rick

 

[jdm61]

To reduce the possibility of embrittlement IIRC.

While going back and checking some post, I found a post about heating treating CPM154 and is was suggest to water quench after tempering. My question is why? Is this better then letting it cool to room temperate or cooling in front of a fan? I just curious about this.

Rick

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

All steels should be water quenched between tempers. Slow cooling can allow some structures to form that you don't want.

There is 0% chance of any damage when water cooling the blades. I just take out of the oven and run under cold tap water ... dry off ... and put right back in the oven for the second temper.

Stainless steel for blades should normally be tempered at the lower 400F range, not at the 1000F range.

 

[Lo/Rez]

This is all new to me. Thanks.