[TheForge] S-5 Steel

[Demon Buddha]

W2HMD@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Is anyone on the list familiar with S-5 steel?  I have used S-7 (very
> happily) to make punches, chisels, etc., both for hand use and for the
> treadle hammer.
> 
> I was just given some S-5, and I am wondering in what way it differs....
> Thoughts?

S-5 is significantly tougher than S7 for cold work.  It is designed for
use
in shear blades where high impact is expected.  S7 is superior for hot
applications, such as hot punches etc.  S5 is a bitch to forge and is
very
stubborn under the hammer, at least in my experience.  It is an air
hardening
grade and so is a pain in the ass in some respects, but over all I have
found it to be a very good tool steel if you do not require super
hardness.
It is a bit tougher than 4140 at it's toughest, which yields something
like
RC-35, but will attain RC 55 at it's maximum.

S5 is NOT forgiving to overheating or cold forging.  It will crack
deeply.
It is some of the toughest stuff you've ever seen.