TOOL OR CRUCIBLE STEEL

Crucible steel can be annealed either in muffled furnace or by being packed. Packing is by far the most satisfactory method as it prevents scaling, local hard spots, uneven annealing, or violent changes in shape. It should be brought up slowly to just above its calescent or hardening temperature. The operator must know before setting his heats the temperature at which the different carbon content steels are hardened. The higher the carbon contents the lower is the hardening heat, but this should in no case be less than 1,450°F.