for o1 will cryo really help that much? Also any opinions on what hardness to shoot for? thx

Bill


Sweeet:evil

It seems that cryogenic heat treating will help almost any kind of steel, or at least that what it sounds like to me. It will convert any remaining austenite, or at least more. I think 60-61 is about the right hardness for 01

Someone on BForums was stating wear increase of 200-400% for cryo'd O1.

The wear increases posted on Bforums were for computer controlled, slow cool and heat processes, as tested by Dr. R.F. Barron. These were not from the dip method. O-1 showed 221% increase in wear resistance after sustained cooling to -120F, and 418% after -300F.

Daniel Watson
http://www.metalscience.com

Been playing with my home freezer at -4C just because I have less time these days to finish a blade in a whole day. Been putting them into the freezer for at least 24hours (some up to a week). I've been doing O-1 and 1095 after the quench and first full temper eg.- 375F. I then do a de-stress after it comes out of the freezer before working - at 325F for 1 hour. The working properties are noticeably changed for the better and edge holding is also slightly better - but also noticeable.

See another thread I'm starting about this issue of cryo's on carbon steel blades. I like where this is all heading. Jason.