which steel for load?

Oct 06, 2005 3 Replies

I have the choice of 4140, 1018, 12L14, 1045 cold rolled, W1 Drill rod, O1 Drillrod, A2 Drillrod for a 1.125 diameter round piece that is going to be subjected to approx 400 lb of load in compression and subject to axial loads of approx 200 lb for brief times. Without heat treating what would you choose, and if heat treating to R 30-35 what would you choose? Obviously if heat treating the selection would be minus 1018 and 12L14, am I right? By the way the rod is only going to be max 2 ft long and supported for about 6" at one end.



thanks T.Alan


Any of those alloys in that diameter will support much larger loads. I would go with 1018 based on cost unless there is some other constraint.

Fixed one end, and cantilevered? or simple support other end? Also, not sure what distinction you draw between compression and axial load. In any case, the loads are light. A 1" round bar will need a yield stress higher than 8 ksi for the worst case cantilever. Almost anything stronger than popsicle sticks will support that, unless you're worried about deflection. How far can it move?

fixed at one end, and I meant radial load or a load at 90 degrees to the lenght of the bar.

Thanks T.Alan

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