DSC^® Inox Stainless Damascus Steel Billets (Cut-to-Size)

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• 30-day returns from delivery, in any condition, as long as the whole billet comes back

Width:

• 20 mm ≈ 0.79 in

• 25 mm ≈ 0.98 in

• 30 mm ≈ 1.18 in

• 35 mm ≈ 1.38 in

• 40 mm ≈ 1.57 in

• 45 mm ≈ 1.77 in

• 50 mm ≈ 1.97 in

• 55 mm ≈ 2.17 in

• 60 mm ≈ 2.36 in

Thickness:

• 2 mm ≈ 0.08 in

• 2.5 mm ≈ 0.10 in

• 3 mm ≈ 0.12 in

• 4 mm ≈ 0.16 in

• 5 mm ≈ 0.20 in

• 6 mm ≈ 0.24 in

• 8 mm ≈ 0.31 in

• 10 mm ≈ 0.39 in

Forging

• Forge at 1742-1922°F (950-1050°C).

• Cool slowly after deformation. Do not quench from the forging temperature.

• Soft annealing is required after hot working to enable further machining.

• Note: Cold working of DSC Inox is usually not possible.

Machining

All DSC Inox billets are delivered soft-annealed at 22-27 HRC and are ready to machine. The weld layers will not separate during machining.

Soft Annealing (required after hot working only)

• Heat slowly to 1526°F (830°C) and hold for at least 4 hours.

• Cool slowly in the furnace.

• Remove once the billet temperature is below 752°F (400°C).

Hardening

• Hardening is best performed in a vacuum furnace or under protective gas to prevent oxidation and ensure maximum corrosion resistance.

• Heat to 1922-1976°F (1050-1080°C) and hold for 15-20 minutes.

• Quench rapidly in air, then deep freeze straight away. Deep freezing is recommended, not required. Maximum corrosion resistance is achieved only after hardening.

• Steel makers' note: stay near the low end, about 1940°F (1060°C), the temperature on Alleima's 19C27 sheet; the 1.4034 sheets stop at 1922°F (1050°C).

• Steel makers' note: air quench works for thin stock. Thicker billets want quench plates or a fast gas quench, because 19C27 has to drop below 1112°F (600°C) within about 2 minutes.

• Steel makers' note: deep freeze at about -94°F (-70°C), with no hold once it gets there.

Tempering

• Temper immediately after hardening or deep freezing.

• Temper in two separate cycles, cooling to room temperature between cycles. Deep freezing may be repeated between tempering cycles if desired.

• Knife blades: 2 × 0.75 hours at 356-374°F (180-190°C) → approximately 60-61 HRC.

• Decorative items: 2 hours at 572°F (300°C) → approximately 56-57 HRC.

Surface Preparation

• After hardening, fine polish the surface, up to a mirror polish. Work through each grit cleanly before moving to the next. Scratches from lower grits will be amplified by the etch.

• Wash thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

• Degrease with dish soap or acetone immediately before etching.

Etching

• Always wear protective gloves and goggles and work in a ventilated area when handling acids.

• For DSC Inox, use fresh sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄, 15-20%) heated to 122-140°F (50-60°C) in a water bath. Do not use ferric chloride or muriatic acid on stainless Damascus. Ferric chloride produces poor contrast on high-chromium steels, and muriatic acid fumes will etch surrounding polished surfaces.

• Suspend the billet freely in the etchant. Do not let it rest on the bottom of the container.

• For a deep etch (~20 µm roughness): Etch in 5-minute passes. Each pass etches about 5 µm deep. Four passes totaling 20 minutes give the recommended deep etch of about 20 µm. Between each pass, neutralize in a baking soda solution, then brush lightly with a soft toothbrush to remove smut.

• For a lighter, subtler finish: Use shorter passes of 20-40 seconds each. Neutralize and brush between passes and repeat until you reach your desired contrast.

Developing Contrast

• After your final pass, neutralize thoroughly in a baking soda solution and rinse completely.

• Then fine polish or fine grind above 2500 grit until the contrast is where you want it. This polishes the raised bright 19C27 layer while leaving the recessed dark 1.4034 layer at depth.

Final Steps

• Rinse and dry completely.

• Apply a protective oil or wax to protect the finish.