Well if it is true normalizing, which is well in excess of the recrystallization temperature (or even Ac3 or Accm) it may even be detrimental before the final heat treatment; if, however, you are simply cycling the steel to nonmagnetic then the issues are much less. If all you want to do is limit distortion from any residual machining or grinding strain, this can be done with a stress relieving rather than normalization. Normalizing is typically done after extreme deformation or thermal events such as forging. Stress relieving is specifically to deal with machining strain that could lead to distortion. To stress relieve you simply heat to around 1200F for a short hold and allow the blade to air cool.

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Well if it is true normalizing, which is well in excess of the recrystallization temperature (or even Ac3 or Accm) it may even be detrimental before the final heat treatment; if, however, you are simply cycling the steel to nonmagnetic then the issues are much less. If all you want to do is limit distortion from any residual machining or grinding strain, this can be done with a stress relieving rather than normalization. Normalizing is typically done after extreme deformation or thermal events such as forging. Stress relieving is specifically to deal with machining strain that could lead to distortion. To stress relieve you simply heat to around 1200F for a short hold and allow the blade to air cool.

Thanks, Kevin. I'll adjust accordingly.

gary

While we are on the topic of noralizing, can anyone suggest a method for normalizing large pieces that do not fit in the forge or the oven? The idea of sliding it back and forth through the doors of the forge seems more than tedious.

Another question about normalizing and how often: Let's say that the starting stock is shaped nothing at all like a blade. (leaf spring, drill rod, etc) and the first forging is simply to bring the steel into a basic rectangular shape ready to profile and finish forging. This workpiece is then set aside for another day. Should it be normalized at the end of the first round and again after forging to shape or is it safe to do one normalizing at the end of the second round?