How to Harden D2 Metal
D2 metal or tool steel is highly sensitive to overheating during the hardening process. D2 steel has a high carbon content, which causes it to have a tendency to decarburize, or lose carbon when it is overheated, which weakens the steel. Due to its physical properties, if it is overheated, the metal will fail to harden properly and will shrink quickly, which causes it to crack. Harden D2 metal in a furnace, then let it cool down at room temperature. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Heat your metal working furnace to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Put on your heat resistive gloves and pick up the metal with metal tongs. Set the D2 metal into the furnace.
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Observe the metal. When it reaches a uniform red color or matches the color of the thermocouple in the furnace, let it sit in the heat for 20 minutes plus five minutes per inch of thickness of the metal.
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Remove the hardened metal from the furnace and place it on a heat safe surface. Let the hardened D2 metal sit in the air and cool down to room temperature to air "quench."
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Tips & Warnings
Handle red hot metal with care as it can burn and start fires.
