Darrin Sanders
Moderator
Carbon = 0.90-1.04
Manganese = 0.30-0.50
Phosphorus = 0.40
Silicon = 0.50
This chemistry is just a base, refer to the source/vendor for the actual chemistry.
1095 is a hypereutectic steel that makes an excellent blade when properly heat treated. However, it does require a well regulated heat source in order to soak the steel at temp.. The soak is needed in order to allow the extra carbon time to go into solution. The low manganese content makes it a shallow hardening steel which requires a fast quench such as water, brine, Parks #50, etc.. Some people report good results with other quenchants and others disagree. You are free to try any quench medium you see fit and form your own opinion. The subject of 1095 quenchants has been the subject of volumes of debate. We will NOT re-hash it here. Like I said quench it in whatever you like but don't post what you feel is best here because it WILL be deleted. This area is for steels, not quenchants. Back to the steel, here is a good starting point for 1095.
1. Heat to 1475 and soak for 5-8 minutes.
2. Quench.
3. Temper twice for 2 hours each time. Temper between 375 & 500 depending on application.
Like I said this is a good starting point and you may need to adjust times and temps. to suit your needs and equipment. You may also want to add stress reliefs, Normalizations, or thermal cycling. Again that is up to you and what works best for you and your equipment.
Manganese = 0.30-0.50
Phosphorus = 0.40
Silicon = 0.50
This chemistry is just a base, refer to the source/vendor for the actual chemistry.
1095 is a hypereutectic steel that makes an excellent blade when properly heat treated. However, it does require a well regulated heat source in order to soak the steel at temp.. The soak is needed in order to allow the extra carbon time to go into solution. The low manganese content makes it a shallow hardening steel which requires a fast quench such as water, brine, Parks #50, etc.. Some people report good results with other quenchants and others disagree. You are free to try any quench medium you see fit and form your own opinion. The subject of 1095 quenchants has been the subject of volumes of debate. We will NOT re-hash it here. Like I said quench it in whatever you like but don't post what you feel is best here because it WILL be deleted. This area is for steels, not quenchants. Back to the steel, here is a good starting point for 1095.
1. Heat to 1475 and soak for 5-8 minutes.
2. Quench.
3. Temper twice for 2 hours each time. Temper between 375 & 500 depending on application.
Like I said this is a good starting point and you may need to adjust times and temps. to suit your needs and equipment. You may also want to add stress reliefs, Normalizations, or thermal cycling. Again that is up to you and what works best for you and your equipment.
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