Beta superior NO.1 casehardening compound

[Rolf]

Just bougth a lb of Beta superior NO.1 casehardening compound from Knighton Tools, England.  According to the data sheet, it contains 30-50% potassium ferrocyanide.
The instructions shipped With the powder  says to cover the part completely With the powder and heat to 600-700 celsius (1110-1290 fahrenheit) for at least 4 hours.

Has anyone tried this? Seems like a very low temp. Can't find any info on expected case hardening Depth. Thinking of using this mixed With charcoal (2/3 Wood+1/3 bone) for case hardening frizzens.  Can I increase temp to 800 Celius(1450 fahrenheit)?

http://www.knighton-tools.co.uk/acatalog/Case_Hardening_Compound.html

Best regards
Rolf

[JBJ]

Four hours??? Seems like that would require a heat treating oven. The old Kasenit formula did not require that amount of heat soaking! Things were looking rosy until I hit the four hour part. Just wondering.
J.B.

[Rolf]

Four hours??? Seems like that would require a heat treating oven. The old Kasenit formula did not require that amount of heat soaking! Things were looking rosy until I hit the four hour part. Just wondering.
J.B.

I have a heat treating oven.

Best regards
Rolf

[Mtn Meek]

The depth of hardening can be an inverse relationship between temperature and time.  Meaning you can get the same depth of hardening with low temperature and longer soak time as you would get with higher temperature and shorter soak time.

The old can of Kasenit of mine has the following instructions on the label.

FOR MILD STEEL:

• Heat part uniformly to a bright red (approximately 1650 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Dip or roll in compound to form a fused shell arond area to be hardened. Reheat to a bright red.
• Quench immediately in clean, cold water using a scrubbing action to ensure maximum cooling rate.

To increase depth, repeat operation No. 2 before quenching.  To insure maximum of hardness, reheat and repeat operation No. 3.

FOR DEEPER CASES ON MILD STEEL:

Immerse part in compound using open, shallow receptacle.  Subject to heat of 1650 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of from 15 to 60 minutes, depending upon depth of case required.  Use dry tong to remove part from molten compounds.  Quench part only in clean, cold water.

[flehto]

When I was a tool and diemaker apprentice we were allowed to make many of our tools including 2 grinding vises....a regular vise and a sine vise for grinding angles. "V" blocks were other items along w/ parallels.  All were made from low carbon steel..

Talked to the heat treater at the company we used and he said that the timing was 1hr/.001 deep carburization. The carbon was introduced into the oven  as a gas  and seeing our tools req'd accurate grinding considering the warpage when quenched, the .030 depth  req'd 30 hrs in the oven.

During my apprenticeship I did the heat treating for 9 mos and we had carbon gas ovens  which prevented decaburization of tool steels w/ their high quench temps....this old equipment   was later replaced w/  vacuum furnaces.

The reason our tools were sent out was that we had 2 furnaces and there were  120 toolmakers and 10 apprentices......Fred