Heat treating 80crv2 in a coal forge

[Widney Burton]

Hey, guys!

 

 So, I'm looking for information on heat treating 80crv2 in my coal forge. I have successfully heat treated 80crv2 in my forge before, but I just want to make sure I have all of the knowledge I can get so that I can grow each time I do this. Since i dont have a non contact thermometer gun, I go by visuals and I have a pretty good understanding of what temperature I'm looking at in a general area. I'm heat treating a chefs knife and i dont want to do it post grind because my last experience with that ended in major warping failure. So I'm just going to pregrind my 45's and then heat treat from there. Any tips or suggestions? What should I do in terms of soak time and temperature? I have read that around 1500F is the right spot. 

 

Thanks in advance!!

[Alan Longmire]

Use a muffle pipe and learn to watch for decalescence.  No need for a thermometer that way.  And 1500 is too cool by 75-120 degrees, according to the data sheets.

 

https://cdn.newjerseysteelbaron.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/80CRV2-Heat-Treat-7-20.pdf

 

 

[Widney Burton]

Thanks, Alan!! I'll look into a muffle pipe and give it a shot!

[Widney Burton]

7 hours ago, Alan Longmire said:

Use a muffle pipe and learn to watch for decalescence.  No need for a thermometer that way.  And 1500 is too cool by 75-120 degrees, according to the data sheets.

 

https://cdn.newjerseysteelbaron.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/80CRV2-Heat-Treat-7-20.pdf

 

 

What would you recommend for a muffle pipe size? I was thinking 1/8 thick round pipe at 3.5 inch inner diameter by 12 inch long. Is the thickness about right? I use anthracite coal. That's the type of heat I'm working with if it helps to know. it's the only thing available and I own an actual metric ton of the stuff lol 

[Alan Longmire]

Any tubing, round, square, rectangular, is fine. The heavier the better. The important thing is that one end is welded shut. It won't work otherwise. 

[Widney Burton]

Thanks, alan!!