1045 heat treat?

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Will52100

Will52100

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Dec 4, 2001
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I've googled until I'm sick of it, anybody got any info on tempering temps for 1045? It's for a forging hammer I just finished, and while I have no doubt I could simply color temper to straw or gold I'd like some idea of what hardness I can expect at different tempering temps.

Thanks
 
Heat Treatment

AISI 1045 is subjected to the following processes:
•Forging
•Annealing
•Normalizing
•Stress relieving
•Hardening
•Tempering

Forging
•Heat to 850°C - 1250°C (1562°F - 2282°F)
•Hold until the temperature is uniform
•Cool in furnace

Annealing
•Heat to 800°C - 850°C (1472°F - 1562°F)
•Hold until the temperature is uniform
•Cool in furnace.

Normalizing
•Heat to 870°C - 920°C (1598°F-1688°F)
•Hold until the temperature is uniform
•Soak for 10 - 15 minutes
•Cool in still air

Stress Relieving
•Heat to 550°C - 660°C (1022°F - 1220°F)
•Hold until the temperature is uniform
•Soak for 1 hour per 25mm of section
•Cool in still air

Hardening
•Heat to 820°C - 850°C (1508°F - 1562°F)
•Hold until the temperature is uniform
•Soak for 10 - 15 minutes per 25mm of section
•Quench in water or brine

Tempering
•Re-heat to 400°C - 650°C (752°F - 1202°F ) as required
•Hold until the temperature is uniform
•Soak for 1 hour per 25mm of section
•Cool in still air
 
Thanks, but tempering between 752 degF and 1202 seems a bit on the high side, nor does it give me any idea what the hardness would be.

Since it's a thick section I'll be using water for the quench. I figured I should be OK at 400 degF for a low 50's RC.
 
The lower carbon steels experience tempering embrittlement. I don't know much about it, but I think that is why the high tempering temperatures are recommended. Might be worth looking into.
 
Thanks, didn't know about tempering embrittlement, did a little reading, interesting info.
 
The minimum temper for 1045 should be 600F. That would give about Rc50 if the hardening was maxed.
The lower the carbon content, the higher the temper normally.
 
Thanks, I just find it odd after dealing with high carbon steels, would have thought it'd heat treat more like 1084 or such, but it's a different animal.
 
If you want hard, use a higher carbon steel. If you want really tough, use a low carbon alloy steel....like 4140. 1045 will be bit hard and a bit tough, but not as tough
 
Low tempering range will avoid embrittlement. Stay below 400 F. It will still be more brittle than if done at 700 or higher, but the embrittlement is avoided by staying out of the range between 450 and 650.
 
To fully harden, be sure to get it hot enough a nd cool fast. If thats not important, temp control is not as critical.
 
Most of my hammers are 1045. It is hard to screw up a hammer too badly. I heat them to 1550F and quench in HQ-K(P50 equivalent) and temper twice at 425F.
 
Thanks. I heated to a little above non magnetic, quenched in water while moving in and out and around quickly. File test showed it to be about mid 50's RC. Tempered in the oven at 500 degF, and a couple of cycles where I heated the drift up and stick it in the the head to draw the eye softer and let the colors run to a gold at the polished faces.

I am just surprised I couldn't find a detailed break down of tempering temps to expected hardness levels.
 
1045 isn't a common that much any more. A place like Admiral probably has some information on their website. I just thought of that or would have posted earlier. If anyone is still interested, I have it in my reference books at home. I'm still at work though.
 
One reason i like 1045 over 4140 or the like is that it is water hardening. That allows me to not quench the eye without the oil fire that is caused with partial oil quenches.
 
Suggesting a high temper for a steel like 1045, thats like pearls on swine!

temper at 450F. Don Hanson has it right get it hot put it in water, agitate, add a little soap and salt even if you want. I have made dozens of hammers and tooling from it it is probably my favorite steel, never had a problem with this method. Can get away with no temper even, but its not advised. Steel cutting chisels I will temper at 400F for best results.
 
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