5160, 5160H, 5160RH
5160 AISI 5160H AISI
Carbon 0.56 to 0.64 Carbon 0.55 to 0.65
Manganese 0.75 to 1.00 Manganese 0.65 to 1.00
Phosphorus 0.035 Max Silicon 0.15 to 0.35
Sulfur 0.040 Max Chromium 0.60 to 1.00
Silicon 0.15 to 0.30
Chromium 0.70 to 0.90
5160RH AISI
Carbon 0.56 to 0.64
Manganese 0.75 to 1.00
Silicon 0.15 to 0.35
Chromium 0.70 to 0.90
Considered a high-carbon alloy steel. As quenched hardness of 58 to 63 HRC. Used for a variety of spring
applications, notably flat springs. Often uses Austempering as a method of heat-treating.
Forging max heat 2200 degrees F.
Do not forge below 1600 degrees F.
Normalizing - heat to 1600 F and cool in air.
Annealing – for predominately pearlite structure heat to 1525 F cool rapidly to 1300 F then cool to 1200 F at a rate
not to exceed 20 F per hour – or, heat to 1525 F cool rapidly to 1245 F and hold for 6 hours.
For predominately spheroidized structure heat to 1380 F cool rapidly to 1300 F then cool to 1200 F at a rate not to
exceed 10 F per hour – or, heat to 1380 F cool rapidly to 1245 F and hold for 10 hours.
Hardening – austenitize at 1525 F and quench in oil or polymer. Gas nitriding and ion nitriding are suitable processes.
Austempering - austenitize at 1555 F and quench in molten salt bath at 600 F. Hold for one hour, cool in air, needs no tempering, approximately 46 to 52 HRC is obtained
I'm adding this because the above was writen for tool / spring steel use.
52 is low for a knife
lower molten salt bath to about 400 - 450 F
depending on the use of the knife.
© 2004
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