Before starting to create a knife, the master needs to clearly know all the features of the steel from which the final product will be made in the future. Each individual steel, with the exception of analogues, which will be discussed below, is unique in its composition, which means that the process of its processing should be approached wisely. So, the focus of our attention is P6M5 steel, the characteristics and application of which we will describe in detail below.
The chemical composition of steel P6M5
Those who are familiar with the Soviet steel marking system immediately recognized the main purpose of this brand. However, for those who have only recently begun to study this topic, it should be mentioned:
- P6M5 steel is high-speed tool steel.
By name, it is clear that the characteristics of P6M5 steel are more than acceptable for the manufacture of cutting objects. It is easy to guess that all steels of this type according to the Soviet system were indicated by the initial letter “P”, from the English Rapid, that is, “fast”. The rest of the labeling is the name of the main alloying additives. In this case, the number “6” indicates the amount of tungsten (W) in the composition, and the abbreviation “M5” tells us about the presence in the composition of molybdenum (Mo) in the amount of five percent of the total weight. However, the main ligature composition looks like this:
- 0.9% carbon (C);
- 6% tungsten (W);
- 5% molybdenum (Mo);
- 4% chromium (Cr);
- 2% vanadium (V).
In addition to this set, there are a number of minor additives, but they can safely be ignored, because in P6M5 steel the characteristics are set precisely by the above alloying elements.
And the promised analogues:
- In the United States market, the closest equivalent is called T11302 or M2.
- In the Land of the Rising Sun, an analogue is called SKH51.
- In Europe, you can find analogues under the names Hs6-5-2 or 1.3339.
In work
Next, the characteristics of P6M5 in work will be considered, we list the main processes of steel processing and a clear temperature framework. So:
- Annealing. The limiting annealing temperature is 880 ° with a decrease of 50 ° per hour. We reach the lower limit temperature value of 650 ° C, after which we cool the workpiece in air.
- Forging. The temperature corridor at this stage begins at 1160 ° C and ends at 860 ° C.
- Quenching. At this stage, you have to sweat, because the starting temperature here is 1200 ° C. Next, the workpiece is lowered into oil to 200 ° C, and then again into the air. As a result, we get a blade with a hardness of 62 units on the Rockwell scale. There is an opinion that this steel can be hardened in water, too, but this is pure lie of lazy craftsmen.
- Vacation You need to release the blade three times: each hour and at a temperature of 500 ° C. After that, its hardness will increase by about three units and will be 65 units. according to Rockwell.
P6M5 steel: characteristics and application for knives
The result of all your efforts is a blade with a strong cutting edge, but viscous enough for a gradual dulling without the appearance of small and not very chipped. However, the blade, even with all efforts, will turn out to be fragile, so we do not advise you to subject it to excessive loads.
Without proper care, it slowly but rusts. When etched, it acquires an even black color. It is grinded and polished well, but hard - because of the high hardness.
Total
In the manufacture of you will need extreme caution, because steel is extremely capricious at the stage of heat treatment and is prone to decarburization during overheating. It is also worth to be patient for the time of the machining, because the P6M5 steel has extreme strength characteristics. But if you follow all the subtleties, the final product will turn out to be extremely high-quality and wear-resistant.