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Along with material selection and wear resistant surface
treatment, a third key to a long lasting cutting or wear component is its heat treatment. Depending on the application, Lund
will utilize several types of heat treating, including selective zone hardening, through hardening, austempering, and carburizing.
Often, a combination of heat treatments is used to optimize the performance of the wear part.
In the case of a cutting part, selective edge hardening
is often employed. In its "soft" state, the cutting part is essentially useless.
In the heat treatment process, the cutting edge is heated to over 1500 degrees F. On subsequent cooling the steel undergoes
a transformation to Martensite. This process produces a cutting edge that is very hard and that will retain its sharpness
far longer than the untreated steel. The mounting body of the knife, however, is not affected by this treatment. Accordingly, it remains ductile and tough. It can bend under load without breaking or taking a permanent
set.
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