is around 200,000 PSI, exceeding a Grade 8 bolt at 150,000 PSI. It accomplishes its strength with only 5% Nickel and lower amounts of other valuable metals, so the ingredients are cheaper than stainless and processing doesn't require a vacuum furnace except to achieve the highest properties.
The compressive strength of granite is given as up to 45,000 PSI. Single point carbide tipped chisels are recommended to carve it, carbon steel chisels for other types of stone dull in seconds on it. The rock drill rod I turned the jack adapter from is a broken and discarded end with the 3" drill bit still on. 1/2" carbide buttons worn hemispherical do the cutting/pulverizing, with compressed air removing the dust.
"Eglin steel can be welded easily" but machinability isn't mentioned. HSS cuts Grade 8.
Didn't find your answer? Ask the community — no account required.
J
Jim Wilkins
My two miracle steels (other than various stainless) are 4140 and 1144.
4140 has an edge on corrosion resistance due to some chromium, but not enough to be consider stainless.
1144 has a huge edge due to machinability, but it seems to be only made in hex and round.
4140 is machinable, but tends to work harden unless you take fully engaged cuts with no rubbing.
4140 is somewhat touchy to weld, but with preheat welds nicely.
1144 tends to hot short when welded. (Crumble or turn granular and crumble if I understand correctly.)
Both are forgeable, but I'd forge 1144 at the lower end of the forging range. I have forged 1144 at bright red, but not orange heat with good results.
Both are pretty strong in the annealed state and may be used for many tough applications. I tend towards 4140QT TGP for precision shafting, and if its very low corrosion environment, and I need to turn journals I'll go to 1144.
I tend to use 1144 more than 4140, primarily because its locally available. I have to order 4140.
Subjectively I would say even in the annealed state 4140 has higher "toughness."
I believe both 4140 (certainly) and 1144 can be heat treated, but I would check the ** ASM Heat Treater's Guide Companion. 1144 may require a little more care due to its tendency to hot short.
If I need an easy mid carbon heat treatable I'd probably pick 1045.
Bob La Londe CNC Molds N Stuff
------------------------------------------------------- I paid $100 for a long remnant of 1" round 4142HT from a dealer in mainly stainless, and have held off buying Stressproof until I've mostly used it up, likely never. I think he ordered it as a favor for a good customer who needed only a short length. It's adequately machinable on my equipment so far. The heat treating reference I found for it says that protrusions like cutting edges can be flame-hardened by simply heating them red, the bulk metal cools the edge fast enough. A thin layer of Ivory soap minimizes scaling loss.
formatting link
When MSC had a outlet near work I bought an assortment of O-1 drill rod that I'm nowhere near using up. CRS shafting machines and threads cleanly for parts that don't need hardening or the ground finish. It's available with a key slot that avoids all machine work except sawing to length.
I try to learn tool steel properties in case I happen onto a bargain, such as several boxes that might be 1" x 36" Thompson rod at $1 apiece. My projects are usually too small to order dealer stocked length. jsw
Join the Discussion
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask the community — no account required
Report Content
You are reporting this content to the moderators. They will look at it
ASAP.