Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: New guy with questions

John H.

I believe oil hardening steels work just as high carbon steels for
hardening. The oil hardening steels however have alloying elements
which allow it to fully harden with a slower quench. The quench is the
dunking in water or oil. There are also air quenching steels which
harden in air.

There is a structural change of the steel, crystaline latice structure,
when hardened. I'm not sure if this is considered chemical or not. I
also do not fully understand how the alloying elements effect a steels
hardenability.

The less violent quench gives less warpage and distortion of the part.
These steels are more expensive though.

Hugh Currin
Klamath Falls, OR

On 12 Oct, johnhe wrote:
> How does oil hardening tool steel work chemically? I know you can heat and
> dunk in oils instead of water for less harsh tempering.
>