How to Harden Spring Wire
If you want to harden spring wire, use the austenitizing and quenching methods for metal and alloys. Austenitizing is the process of heating the metal in high heat to harden it. Quenching is rapidly cooling hot metal to harden it. Tempering is also used to harden metal, but it is not recommended for springs. Spring wires are made of various metals and alloys, such as stainless steel, copper and nickel.
Things You'll Need
- Crucible
- Metalworking tongs
- Kiln
- Heat-resistant surface
- Heat-resistant container
- Metalworking thermometer
Instructions
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1
Insert the spring wire into a crucible, using metalworking tongs.
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2
Preheat a kiln to 500 degrees Fahrenheit below the melting point of the spring wire. For example, the melting point of stainless steel is 2,750 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheat the kiln to 2,250 degrees Fahrenheit.
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3
Insert the crucible into the kiln for five minutes, using metalworking tongs. Increase the heat of the kiln 200 degrees Fahrenheit below the melting point. For example, increase the heat of the kiln to 2,550 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the crucible for 10 minutes or until the metal glows red.
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4
Remove the crucible and place it on a heat-resistant surface, using metal working tongs.
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5
Fill a heat resistant container with water. Submerge the spring wire in the water until the spring wire is cool. Cooling time is approximately two minutes, depending on the type of metal.
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6
Place the spring wire onto the heat-resistant surface. Let the metal cool for one hour. Touch the outside of the metal with a metalworking thermometer to check the temperature.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear heat-resistant gloves, protective mask and goggles when handling hot metal.
References
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Valueline/Getty Images
