Heat-treating CPM-154 with stainless tool wrap
Powder version of 154CM — finer grain, cleaner grinds, better toughness.
Recommended SSTW grade
Grade 309 stainless foil
CPM-154 austenitizes around 2050°F — above ~2000°F — so 309 stainless foil holds up to the heat and longer soaks without embrittling.
Shop 309 tool wrap rollsCPM-154 heat-treat reference
- Austenitizing temp
- 1950–2050°F
- Soak at temp
- 15–30 min
- Quench
- Plate quench, then cryo
- Temper
- 300–400°F, 2× 2 hr
- Typical uses
- Premium folders, fixed blades
General knifemaking guidance — always follow the steel manufacturer's published data sheet for your exact stock.
Why wrap CPM-154 in stainless foil
At 2050°F the bare surface of CPM-154 oxidizes and loses carbon (decarburization), leaving a soft, scaled skin you have to grind back past. Sealing the blade in SSTW 309 stainless tool wrap keeps oxygen off the steel through the soak and quench, so it comes out of the kiln bright with full hardness right to the edge — less post-heat-treat grinding, no decarb surprises.
CPM-154 foil FAQ
Do I need stainless foil to heat treat CPM-154?
Wrapping CPM-154 in stainless tool wrap before the kiln prevents surface scale and decarburization, so the blade comes out clean with the carbon at the edge intact. It is strongly recommended for CPM-154, especially for air- and plate-quenched work where the blade sits at temperature.
Which SSTW grade should I use for CPM-154 — 309 or 321?
CPM-154 austenitizes around 2050°F — above ~2000°F — so 309 stainless foil holds up to the heat and longer soaks without embrittling.
What temperature is CPM-154 heat treated at?
CPM-154 is commonly austenitized around 1950–2050°F with a 15–30 min soak, then plate quench, then cryo and tempered (300–400°F, 2× 2 hr). Always confirm against the steel mill's published data sheet for your exact stock — these figures are general knifemaking guidance.
Can I use 321 foil for CPM-154?
321 works for many sub-2000°F heat treats, but CPM-154 runs hot enough that 309 stainless foil is the safer choice — it tolerates the higher austenitizing temperature and longer soaks without embrittling.
Ready to heat treat CPM-154 clean?
SSTW Grade 309 stainless tool wrap, sold by the roll and shipped from the USA.
Shop tool wrap rolls