Suave-recocido 850 C - 900 C / 1560 C - 1650 C, enfriamiento lento 10 C / 18 C / h hasta 700 C / 1290 C, la dureza Brinell de 260 mx.

Alivio de esfuerzos 600 C - 700 C / 1120 F - 1290 F, aprox. 2 horas a temperatura, nfriamiento lento a 500 C / 930 F.

Endurecimiento con precalentamiento de dos pasos 450 C - 500 C / 840 F - 930 F, 850 C - 900 C / 1560 C - 1650 F y austenizacin a 1050 C - 1220 C / 1920 F - 2230 F. Enfriamiento a aproximadamente 550 C / 1022 F a continuacin, el aire de enfriamiento hasta la temperatura ambiente.

2 templados a 560 C / 1040 F se recomienda (el mantenimiento de al menos una hora cada uno a la temperatura).

Steps 1. 1 Start with steel with sufficient carbon content. Hardening steel causes the carbon's structure to crystallize, similar to the way coal or graphite changes to diamond under the heat and pressure within the earth. Without other metals alloyed with it, steel to be hardened needs to have a carbon content of about 1.0 percent. This kind of steel is called high-carbon steel or tool steel. (Steel alloys such as silver steel and gauge plate are also high-carbon steels.)
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Medium carbon steels, with a carbon content of 0.7 to 0.8 percent, can also be hardened, but these steels need to have other metals alloyed with them so that the steel can be hardened more thoroughly. Mild steels, with a carbon content of 0.4 percent or less, cannot be hardened directly. They can, however, be coated with other materials to make them harder in a process called case hardening.

2. 2 Heat the steel. Heat the entire piece of steel slowly at first. Then, concentrate the heat on the area that is to be hardened, such as a chisel point or screwdriver blade tip, until that area glows red hot. 3. 3 Quench the steel in a fluid. Dipping the hot steel into a liquid or gas rapidly cools it, hardening the metal. Several fluids may be used as a quench.
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Fresh water is the most commonly used quench liquid, but it can corrode the steel. If bubbles are allowed to form, they can slow the cooling process and create soft spots in the metal, so water is usually agitated to prevent bubbles from forming. Salt water quenches hot steel faster than plain water, because the salt makes bubbles pop faster. However, it must be rinsed off immediately, because it will corrode steel faster than fresh water. Oils such as mineral, cottonseed or whale oil cool the steel more slowly than water. Steel quenched in oil will not be as hard as steel quenched in water, but it will be less brittle. Quenching oils may cause fumes, spatters and spills and do constitute a possible fire hazard if not monitored properly. Glycol polymers mixed with water provide an intermediate rate of quenching between water and oil, with the rate of cooling dependent on the amount of glycol. They corrode the steel less than water and are less likely to catch fire than

oil, but the ratio of polymer to water must be monitored constantly to ensure consistent results.
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Cryogenic quenches are used to prevent soft and brittle spots from forming and forcing the steel to become more thoroughly hardened. These quenches are more likely to be used with high-carbon than medium-carbon steels.

4. 4 Clean the steel. This removes the quenching fluid and prepares the steel for tempering. If a liquid other than water was used to quench the steel, water may be used to rinse the steel off. If not, a light abrasive, such as emery cloth, may be used. 5. 5 Heat the steel again. This second heating tempers the steel to take away the brittleness created by the hardening process. The steel may be heated in a furnace or a bath of oil, sodium and potassium nitrate mixture or lead. The temperature to which the steel is heated during tempering determines how hard the tempered steel will be; the higher the temperature, the softer but tougher it will be.
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During the tempering process, the heated steel shows surface oxide colors according to how hot it is. Colors start with light straw at about 200 degrees C through to purpleat about 300 degrees C. These colors are used as a guide for the tempering temperature according to how the steel will be used. Alloyed steels require higher temperatures to reach a particular color than carbon steels, however.

6. 6 Let the steel cool. This time, unlike the rapid cooling during quenching, the steel can be cooled either quickly or slowly, depending on the desired properties of the finished steel. Steel alloys subject to becoming brittle again after tempering should only be cooled slowly, however.

TRATAMIENTO SUB-CERO El tratamiento subcero es un tratamiento trmico a baja temperatura, es decir, se trata de continuar con el ciclo de templado, pero bajo cero, con el objeto de transformar la mayor parte de austenita retenida en martensita. Existen varios sistemas y criterios para realizar este tipo de tratamiento, pero normalmente se considera suficiente una temperatura de 80 C, ya que a esa temperatura el material tiene el 100% de martensita. Es importante contemplar sobre qu calidades de aceros podemos efectuar el tratamiento, pues al ser sometidos a tan bajas temperaturas sufriremos cierto riesgo de agrietamiento. Como dato positivo del tratamiento subcero podemos apuntar la mayor resistencia al desgaste, si se trata de una herramienta, as como su estabilidad dimensional. Este tratamiento est especialmente recomendado para tiles de verificacin, pues su estabilidad dimensional queda ms garantizada. Un efecto significativo a tener en cuenta en el tratamiento subcero es el cambio dimensional a ms que sufren las piezas, as como el aumento de dureza debido a la transformacin de la austenita en martensita. Es ste, a veces, un tratamiento socorrido para recuperar un til muy valioso que en su ejecucin ha quedado fuera de medidas por algn error o para aumentar algn punto de dureza. El tratamiento subcero se emplea tambin para el calaje o zunchado por expansin, cuyo proceso es el siguiente: al ser sometida la matriz a bajas temperatura se contrae. A continuacin se introduce el anillo que se encuentra a temperatura ambiente. Su posterior expansin as como el aumento de su volumen (por la transformacin austenita-martensita), nos garantiza un apriete perfecto.

Heat Treatment of Tool Steels

Tool steels are usually supplied in the annealed condition, around 200/250 Brinell (about 20 HRC), to facilitate machining. In this condition, most of the alloy content exists as alloy carbides, dispersed throughout a soft matrix. These steels must be heat treated to develop their characteristic properties. The heat treating process alters the alloy distribution and transforms the soft matrix into a hard matrix capable of withstanding the pressure, abrasion and impacts inherent in metal forming. Each step of the heat treating cycle is designed to perform a specific function, and, like links in a chain, the final product is only as good as its weakest component. Although it may only represent 10% or less of the cost of the tool, the heat treat process is probably the single most important factor in determining the performance of a tool. There is no such thing as an acceptable shortcut in heat treating tool steels. Preheating Preheating, or slow heating, of tool steels provides two important benefits. First, most tool steels are sensitive to thermal shock. A sudden increase in temperature of 1500/2000F may cause tool steels to crack. Second, tool steels undergo a change in density or volume when they transform from the as-supplied annealed microstructure to the high temperature structure, austenite. If this volume change occurs nonuniformly, it can cause unnecessary distortion of tools, especially where differences in section cause some parts of a tool to transform before other parts have reached the required temperature. Tool steels should be preheated to just below this critical transformation temperature, and then held long enough to allow the full cross-section to reach a uniform temperature. Once the entire part is equalized, further heating to the austenitizing temperature will allow the material to transform more uniformly causing less distortion to occur. Austenitizing The useful alloy content of most tool steels exists as carbide particles within the annealed steel. This alloy content is at least partially diffused into the matrix at the hardening or austenitizing temperature. The actual temperature used depends mostly on the chemical composition of the steel. The temperature may be varied somewhat to tailor the resulting properties to specific applications. High temperatures allow more alloy to

diffuse, permitting slightly higher hardness or compressive strength. At lower temperatures, less alloy diffuses into the matrix, and the matrix is therefore tougher, or less brittle, although it may consequently not develop as high a hardness. The hold times used depend on the temperatures. Diffusion of alloy occurs faster at higher temperatures, and soak times are decreased accordingly. For the best combination of properties, we generally recommend using the lowest hardening temperature which will produce adequate hardness for your application. The times shown in the table are typical for relatively small sections (under 2") and represent total soak time after material has reached the aim temperature. Larger sections need to be held longer to allow the center to reach temperature. The extended soak times depend on furnace equipment, load size and heat treat experience. Heat Treatment of Tool Steels
Typical Preheat Austenitize Hold Time Temper AISI Ouench Hardness Temp. (1) Temp. (2) (Minutes)(3) Temp.(6) HRC (4) S7 1350/1400 1725/1750 15-45 AIR 350/600 54/58 O1 1250/1300 1450/1500 15-30 OIL 350/500 58/63 A2 1350/1400 1750/1800 20-45 AIR 400/1000 56/62 D2 1400/1450 1825/l875 15 45 AIR 400/1000 55/62 CRUWEAR 1400/1550 1850/2050 15-45 AIR 900/1050 58/64 3V 1450/1550 1875/2050 20-45 AIR 950/1050 56/62 (5) M2 1500/1550 2050/2200 3-10 AIR 1000/1100 58/65 (5) M4 1500/1550 2050/2200 5-10 AIR 1000/1100 58/65 (5) 9V 1500/1550 1950/2050 15-45 AlR 1000/1150 44/56 (5) 10V 1500/1550 1950/2150 5-45 AlR 1000/1100 56/63 (5) 15V 1500/1550 2050/2150 10-20 AlR 1000/1100 56/63
(1) Tools should be held in preheat range just long enough for temperature to equalize throughout material. A second preheat step at 1850/1900F is recommended for vacuum or atmosphere furnaces when hardening temperature is over 2000F. (2) Higher austenitizing temperatures are used for slightly greater hardness; lower temperatures may provide slightly improve toughness. (3) Hold times are typical soak times after material has reached the aim temperature. Longer times are for low austenitizing temperatures; high temperatures require shorter soaks. Variations in furnace type, load or part size, etc., may require varying allowances for parts to reach aim temperature. (4) Interrupted oil quench may be required for very large sections. (5) Although high speed steels may be air-hardened, a salt bath or other similar equipment is

required to attain maximum hardness. (6) Multiple tempers are mandatory for most grades. Consult individual data sheets for specific requirements.

Quenching Once the alloy content has been redistributed as desired during austenitizing, the steel must be cooled fast enough to fully harden to martensite, which will provide the materials strength. How fast a steel must be cooled to fully harden depends on the chemical composition. In general, low alloy steels (O1) must be quenched in oil in order to cool fast enough. The drastic quench may cool some portions of a tool significantly faster than other portions, causing distortion or even cracking in severe cases. Higher alloy content allows steel to develop fully hardened properties with a slower quench rate. Air-hardening steels cool more uniformly, so distortion and risk of cracking are less than with oilhardening steels. For the higher alloyed tool steels which harden from over 2000F, the quench rate from about 1800F to below 1200F is critical for optimum heat treat response and material toughness. No matter how tool steels are quenched, the resulting structure, martensite, is extremely brittle, and under great stress. If put into service in this condition, most tool steels would shatter. Some tool steels will spontaneously crack in this condition even if left untouched at room temperature. For this reason, as soon as tool steels have been quenched by any method to hand-warm (about 125/150F), they should be immediately tempered. Tempering Tempering is performed to stress-relieve the brittle martensite which was formed during the quench. Most steels have a fairly wide range of acceptable tempering temperatures. In general, use the highest tempering temperature which will provide the necessary hardness for the tool. The rate of heating to, and cooling from the tempering temperature is not critical. Sudden drastic temperature swings should be avoided. The material should be allowed to cool completely to room temperature (50/75F) or below between and after tempers. Most steels must be held at temperature for a minimum of two to four hours for each temper. A rule of thumb is to allow one hour per inch of thickest section for tempering, but in no case less than two hours regardless of size.

Size Change The heat-treat process results in unavoidable size increases in tool steels because of the changes in their microstructure. Most tool steels grow between about 0.0005 and 0.002 inch per inch of original length during heat treatment. This varies somewhat based on a number of theoretical and practical factors. Most heat treaters have a feel for what to expect from typical processes. In certain cases, a combination of variables, including high alloy content, long austenitizing time or high temperature, discontinuing the quench process too soon, inadequate cooling between tempers, or other factors in the process, may cause some of the high-temperature structure, austenite, to be retained at room temperature. In other words, during the normal quench, the structure is not completely transformed to martensite. This retained austenite condition usually is accompanied by an unexpected shrinkage in size and sometimes by less ability to hold a magnet. This condition often can be corrected simply by exposing tools to low temperatures, as in cryogenic or refrigeration treatments, to encourage completion of the transformation to martensite. Cryogenic Treating Most tool steels actually develop their hardened structure (martensite) during the quench, between about 600F and 200F. For various reasons, however, in some cases, transformation to martensite may not be complete even at 125/150F. In such cases, some of the high temperature microstructure, austenite, may be retained after normal heat treating. A2 and D2 are two common grades which may contain significant (20% or more) retained austenite after normal heat treating. Retained austenite may be undesirable for a number of reasons. By cooling the steel to cryogenic (sub-zero) temperatures, this retained austenite may be transformed to martensite. The newly formed martensite is similar to the original as-quenched structure and must be tempered. Cryogenic treatments should include a temper after freezing. Often the freezing may be performed between normally scheduled multiple tempers. Technically, cryogenic treatments are most effective as an integral part of the original quench, but due to the high risk of cracking, as discussed in the Quenching section above, we recommend tempering material normally at least once before performing any cryogenic treatments.

Equipment Considerations Exposure to oxygen at the austenitizing temperatures causes scaling and decarburization of the tool surfaces. Decarburization causes a permanent loss in attainable hardness at the tool surface. For this reason, some type of surface protection during austenitizing is required. Vacuum, controlledatmosphere, or neutral salt bath furnaces all offer surface protection. If neutral-atmosphere furnaces are not available, parts may be wrapped in stainless foil to minimize oxygen exposure. Salt furnaces usually offer the quickest and most uniform heating but leave a residue which must be cleaned from the tool surface. Salt bath heat treating has traditionally been used for high-speed steel cutting tools and often cannot accommodate large tools or high-volume hardening. Vacuum furnaces offer the best surface protection but usually require longer process cycles. The quench rate may be limited because of the inability to remove heat from a hot part fast enough to obtain maximum hardness. Vacuum heat treating may result in slightly lower hardness than achieved in a salt bath. Wrapping parts in foil may also slow the quench rate because of the slight insulating effect of the foil layer. In addition, the type of foil must be chosen to withstand the austenitizing temperature used. When heat treating several parts, it is important to load furnaces so that there is clear circulation around each part. During austenitizing, each part should be allowed to heat up relatively uniformly so that excessive soak times are not encountered. Excessive soak times can lower the materials toughness. Also, good circulation around tools promotes faster quenching, which is good for metallurgical properties, and also promotes more uniform cooling, which helps control distortion. Recommended heat treatments for specific tool steels are described thoroughly in the individual data sheets. However, many practical concerns may affect the heat-treat process. Concerned tool builders should discuss heat treatment with their heat treaters to find the best process to suit their tools and applications.