any Australian supplier of case hardening compound left?

**desbromilow** · 13th September 2012, 10:57 AM

I've been looking for Casenit for a while, pretty hard to find. Hardite is no longer made by Fuchs, so do you know a source?

My fall back option is to try and arrange a group buy for a bag of Sodium Ferrocyanide (25Kg bag at $15 per kg) and use that to make my own version of Casenit (recipe below)

46% Sodium Ferrocycanide (aka Yellow Prussiate of Soda)
54% Sodium Chloride (normal table salt)
some people add a small amount of powdered Carbon (powdered BBQ briquettes or charcoal) but I unsure if this is necessary but I have read values as high as 8% of carbon, taken out of the 54% of salt - some values as low as "a pinch" or omitted all together

So my options are:
a) Find a supplier of casenit type powder in oz (Shipping is my concern with o/s purchases)
b) Buy YPS in a full bag
Either that or does anyone work for, or know someone working for a place which makes table salt? YPS is added to raw salt to stop it caking up in the packaging - I've spoken (via email) with the manufacturers of table salt in Oz, they all use YPS, but cannot sell me a part bag - only a full bag of YPS.

Thanks for any sources or ideas,
Des

**matthew_g** · 13th September 2012, 11:48 AM

Hi there,
You can buy a product called "Cherry Red" on Ebay for about $20. I have a tub of it and from what you describe it is the same as Hardite.
Well it sounds like it anyways as it's a case hardening compound.
Hope this helps.
Matt

**.RC.** · 13th September 2012, 12:57 PM

Fuchs sell a product called CH Super... It is a pack case hardening mix.... $175 for 20kg...

I am in the process of making my own....

**RayG** · 13th September 2012, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by .RC.

I am in the process of making my own....

Hi RC, sounds like some interesting experiments coming up..

watching with interest.

Regards
Ray

**Ben Dono** · 13th September 2012, 01:23 PM

R.C, when you say "pack case hardening" What do you mean? I know the cherry red style where you heat and dip. It take it this process is a little different.

**.RC.** · 13th September 2012, 04:48 PM

The pack style is when you pack the steel item into a container filled with a mixture or charcoal, barium carbonate, sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate... Then you heat the mix to ~900C for several hours depending on how deep you want the case hardening to be... What happens in the mix creates carbon monoxide of which at the elevated temperature the carbon becomes soluble in the steel and enters raising the carbon content of the outside of the steel...

I have sourced the barium carbonate so far.... The rest is easy to get.. sodium carbonate is washing soda, and calcium carbonate is limestone or marble... Currently waiting on a temperature controller for the kiln as well..

**Steamwhisperer** · 13th September 2012, 07:26 PM

Hi .RC.,
Would this stuff do

Phil
Search Results - LPR Toolmakers

**Garry 3** · 13th September 2012, 07:40 PM

Hello Steamwhisperer

Do you use the old method of case hardening at your work? (Charcoal, bone, and leather scraps)

**Steamwhisperer** · 13th September 2012, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by Garry 3

Hello Steamwhisperer

Do you use the old method of case hardening at your work? (Charcoal, bone, and leather scraps)

Funny you should say that Garry, I am about to make up a box and give it a try. The funny part is that I am going to throw it into the steam boiler furnace to see how it goes before I fire up the forge

Phil

**.RC.** · 13th September 2012, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer

Hi .RC.,
Would this stuff do

Phil
Search Results - LPR Toolmakers

Depends on what it is (charcoal based or ferrocyanide based), it is also very expensive if it is just a basic charcoal and carbonate mix...

**Ueee** · 13th September 2012, 10:08 PM

Same price as the cherry red on ebay R.C Cherry Red DIY surface harding powder. 400gm/14 ounces | eBay

**Steamwhisperer** · 13th September 2012, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer

Hi .RC.,
Would this stuff do

Phil
Search Results - LPR Toolmakers

oops sorry.RC., that was meant for Des. My new glasses were stolen and I can't see too good.

A blind Phil

**steran50** · 14th September 2012, 09:32 AM

HI

,
I just found this Recipe and I found this on Ebay 1 KG Case Hardening Compound Replaces Kasenit! | eBay . Some Fuch Products Names from their Website http://www.fuchs.com.au/categories.asp?cID=22&c=14628 http://www.fuchs.com.au/search.asp?s...ning&Submit=Go . I have not used any of those Fuch Products (thought info might be useful), but I have used Hardite in the Past and found it to be really Good - I didn't know it wasn't available anymore

I meant to Ask is the 'CHERRY RED' HARDENING Compound that is on Ebay any Good?.

**desbromilow** · 14th September 2012, 11:19 AM

Thanks All for advice and links.
The cherry red I found on ebay once pointed out by another poster, and the Chronos offering I've requested shipping pricing.
The lass is poke with at Fuchs said they'd discontinued Hardite, but she ommitted to mention other offerings were available - I know now what to ask about.

Thanks once again,
Des

**cba_melbourne** · 14th September 2012, 12:48 PM

Horn, like from horse hoofs. Left behind by the farrier. It is free and plentyful if you know a horse owner. It is an ideal case hardening compound. Needs no MSDS. All natural. Just smells a bit. Chris

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