San Mai varieties

[Silverthorn K&T]

these look really cool, when the billet is done what is the core steel thickness?

I try to make the billet be thirds, so on a billet that finishes at .125", the core in theory would be ~.042"

 

[Silverthorn K&T]

Incidentally, can anyone provide insight into what the crystalline structure along the weld line of the SS/O1 is?

 

[gudspelr]

I've been fascinated by the different San Mai mixes ever since I first saw them. Particularly the ss/carbon core ones. I've not made any myself, but from what I understand, your picture that shows "crystallization" is the transition zone where carbon migration was taking place. At welding heats, the carbon from the carbon rich core begins moving to the cladding that has less carbon. From what I understand, when pure nickel is used between the layers, you won't get that crystalline look like above. The nickel keeps the carbon migration from happening. You get a bright line of that thin nickel layer vs the interesting transition zone you get without it. Karl Andersen makes some pretty cool stainless San Mai and is super knowledgable with it all. If you dropped him a line, I bet he could give you all the particulars on what's going on with it.

Jeremy

 

[DukeHarley]

I love those crystals in the transition area!!!! I like B and C.

Jay

 

[jdm61]

Weird optical delusions caused by carbon diffusion from what I have heard.

Incidentally, can anyone provide insight into what the crystalline structure along the weld line of the SS/O1 is?

 

[Silverthorn K&T]

Thanks, guys. The odd thing is that this is phenomenon (the crystals, that is) is only occurring in the SS/O1 mix. The cloudy look in the SS occurs in the other mixes, but the weld line is fairly clean. I was initially guessing it had something to do with the tungsten in the O1...