Tempering Question

SBuzek

SBuzek

Basic Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
3,609
I am using cpm 154 cm stainless.
After hardening and plate quench,I put the blades in a toaster over for a quick temper at 300 deg F till my kiln cools down to 400 deg. Then into the kiln for 2 hous at 400.
My question is can I let the kiln shut off and leave the blades in there to cool with the kiln or do they need to be removed quickly.
Some times I need to go to bed for work and could take them out when I get up.
Thanks
Stan
 
Yes Stan, you can safely do that. I can't think of any reason whatsoever why you could not run your tempering cycle until finished (2 hrs@ 400*)and let the blade(s) sit in the kiln overnight while it cools.
 
Yup, what David said.

I'll add, a lot of complex steels like stainless steel retain austenite. Some retained austenite can convert to martensite during or after tempering. The new martensite needs to be tempered also. Thus it is recommended to temper twice.
 
With a complex steel ,like 154CM, the temper time of two hours is minimum. A temper of four hours would not hurt the blade at all (which is roughly what you would get if you shut the oven off and didn't open the door). As Nathan said, temper twice.
Stacy
 
Oh yah I alwas temper twice, just like to get the first on in asap after quench.
Thanks .
Stan
 
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