[TheForge] FW: [The_Anvil] Dont put your tongue on a frozen anvil

[Chris Kilpatrick]

the major thing being overlooked in this conversation is not the difference in heat between 1800 and 20 degrees, but the properties of steel at 20 degrees.  The colder steel gets the more3 brittle it gets.  The more work hardening that is done in the cold weather, the exponentially worse it gets.  Each hit on a cold anvil causes more stress risers to appear than a hit on a warm anvil, as the steel is to brittle to absorb and dissipate all the force it would at a warmer temp.

-Chris K.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Hufford, David" <David.Hufford at EKU.EDU>
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2004 10:44:39 -0400
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: RE: [TheForge] FW: [The_Anvil] Dont put your tongue on a frozen anvil

> I've heard tales about horns breaking off anvils when struck cold.  However, seems it would take a heavy blow to accomplish this even on a cold anvil.  What do the metallurgists have to say about this?  I think the major problem with a cold anvil is as a heat sink ... the work piece does seem to cool more quickly.  Thus, in the winter, I use a magnetic engine block heater (available from tractor supply) to keep the anvil warm between forging sessions (I have an unheated shop).
> David Hufford
> Richmond KY
> 
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