What is oil hardening steel?
Oil hardening steel refers to steel that must be quenched by oil. Typically, this is the cold-work group of steels, including the O family of tool steels such as O1 and O2. Pure steel often comes in a supply that is too soft for application.
Can you harden mild steel with oil?
In order to put a hard layer on the steel, carbon must be fused at the molecular level into the top centimeter or so of the steel. One way to do this is to make the steel red-hot, then plunge it into motor oil.
What kind of oil do you use to harden metal?
Mineral oil quenchants are excellent for oil-hardened steels and steels that require a fast quench rate. They tend to be on the expensive side, but they’re highly efficient and have greater cooling capacities for steel alloys.
Why do you temper steel in oil?
Parts made of low-carbon steel and low-hardenability alloys quench better in fast oils. Hot oils are kept at much higher temperatures and are used to ensure that a part’s core temperature and surface temperature do not vary too greatly during a quench. This controls distortion and reduces the risk of cracking.
Can you quench a blade in motor oil?
Motor oils are a common type of quenching oil used in both blacksmithing and bladesmithing applications. New and used motor oils can be used for quenching and are both widely available. New motor oil is typically cheaper to use than commercial quenching oils.
Can you quench a blade in mercury?
In order to quench your sword in mercury, you need to displace more than one and a half times its own weight in mercury – and you need to put a corresponding amount of pressure on the blade. However, quenching is done while the metal is still hot and partially malleable.
What do blacksmiths quench their blades in?
Blacksmiths generally use water, oil, or compressed air to quench. These substances vary in environmental impact, cost, and effects on the metal, but the best quenching medium is usually water or quenching oil.
What motor oil is best for quenching?
Canola, Motor Oil, and the Inconel Probe Test I found a study on 1045 steel where they found canola to quench more rapidly than motor oil so I am going to stick with canola as my “cheap” quenching option to test.
Can you use vegetable oil to quench steel?
Oil is a third traditional quenching agent, suitable for high-speed steels and oil-hardened steels, and in fact for any steel for which the required degree of hardness is achievable. Oil has a slower rate of cooling compared to either water or brine, but faster than air, making it an intermediate quench.
What kind of oil is used to quench a blade?
There are many food-grade quenching oil options available to use for blacksmithing. Among these options are vegetable, peanut, and avocado oil. Some commonly used vegetable oils are canola, olive, and palm kernel oil.
What temperature should you quench a knife at?
Step 2: Quench (The block ensures that both sides of the blade are evenly cooled.) Many knifemakers recommend using canola oil heated to around 130℉, saying that water tends to cool the steel too quickly, which can lead to cracking, especially if the blade is on the thin side.
Can you use old engine oil to quench a blade?