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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Different kinds of stainless steel

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Stan in Oly, WA

11-25-2006 16:34:39




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This morning it was brought to my attention that I had used the Iron Worker (80 ton shear) to cut several stainless bolts. The machine has a sign posted which clearly states "Mild Steel Only". Anything harder can put dings in the shearing edge.

My defense was that the bolts were not stainless because I could pick them up with a magnet. Even to me this evidence was not completely satisfactory because I know that some stainless steels ARE magnetic.

What is the difference in use between magnetic and non-magnetic stainless steels? Would there be a reason for bolts to be made out of both kinds?

Putting a drop of nitric acid on the steel being tested seems to be the best way to distinguish between stainless and mild steel. Both magnetic and non magnetic stainless steels resist corrosion by nitric acid. Where would be an easy place to get a small amount of nitric acid? I was hoping nitric was the more formal name for muriatic acid because I have some of that, but muriatic is hydrochloric. No help there.

Thanks, Stan

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dr.sportster

11-26-2006 07:47:37




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 Re: Different kinds of stainless steel in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-25-2006 16:34:39  
Ive worked with stainless that allowed you to use a magnetic level on the threaded rod and strut[Versabar,Unistrut,whatever]. It was made to be resistant to road salts.I knew a guy who was testing stainless hardware with salt water and got all kinds of different results.He was making up hardware kits for bikes.I think you have to know what you really need to specify stainless.Once you get used to it you can tell a stainless bolt by looking at it.The hardware store ones will snap easier than a good grade 5 so you have to be careful.

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T_Bone

11-26-2006 06:51:27




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 Re: Different kinds of stainless steel in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-25-2006 16:34:39  
Hi Stan,

Just a quick reply as I got to get busy. The common SS 300series non-magnetic is the good SS that is resistant to most chemicals and has extremely good ware properitys

The 400 series SS is the cheaper magnetic SS that is used to claim SS class status but not really too useful for the average small shop.

If you stay under the MS capicity, ie; 1/2" MS rated then I would be comfortable shearing a 3/8" SS 300 series and a 7/16" SS 400series. then again if your using cheap shear blades, you just might nick the blade being under capicity.

Nitric is still not a controlled acid ??? So take your driver license to a chemical supply house and buy lab grade (70%) or analycical grade (90%)??? or make your own from most soils. A pint will cost the same as a gallon.

Since your in Gold country any mining supply company will carry nitric. Bring your own bottle.
Pull the MSDA so you know what your dealing with.

T_Bone

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Joe(TX)

11-26-2006 09:36:09




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 Re: Different kinds of stainless steel in reply to T_Bone, 11-26-2006 06:51:27  
T_bone, the statment "The 400 series SS is the cheaper magnetic SS that is used to claim SS class status but not really too useful for the average small shop" is not correct.
400 series is not the cheaper stainless. Martensitic 400 is the heat treatable grade of stainless. 440C is an alloy uses in better knives etc. The Ferritic grades of 400 series are used in turbine engines.
The lower number of the 300 series (austenitic) are the cheap alloys and are worse about corroding in salt water than carbon steel.

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ErnieDD

11-25-2006 19:29:45




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 Re: Different kinds of stainless steel in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-25-2006 16:34:39  
Here is what I know about SS. It is a blend of iron, chromium and nickel. Iron is magnetic. As the percentage of chrome and nickel is increased the corrosive properties are imporved and the magnetic properties weaken. Acetic acid and sodium chloride will dissolve the chrome, leaving a blue tinge liquor that has chromium dissolved in it, and sandpaper metal, where the chrome was leached from the matrix.
Your nitric acid dissolves the iron, also called passivating treatment. Sometimes the part is washed quickly in nitric to improve the rust preventing properties as the iron at the surface is leached out.

Caution with nitric acid is advised, it is a potent acid and oxidizer, it takes no prisoners.

Caution with the acetic acid and sodium chloride is adivised, it is a very potent skin corrosive, wear eye protection.

Does your shop have a metal hardness tester?

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Midwest redneck

11-25-2006 17:24:56




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 Re: Different kinds of stainless steel in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-25-2006 16:34:39  
One way to test if a material is SS is to use Tool Black, about $75 for the degreaser, acid and oil spray. I have actually used tool black (accidentally) on SS and it will not work (duh). If you can get a hold of some of the acid and try it you will know.



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135 fan

11-25-2006 17:07:06




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 Re: Different kinds of stainless steel in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-25-2006 16:34:39  
I'm not an expert on stainless steel. I know there are 3 different types and some are magnetic. I always thought that iron in the metal is what makes it magnetic. Drill stem on the other hand is magnetic the other way. It acts like a magnet. Funny to weld too. Most stainless is harder and needs more force to shear or punch. Some iron workers have ratings for mild steel and stainless. I also know that some stainless is stress relieved by dunking it in water after welding. The guy I know who had a specialty welding shop used to make oil sample test cylinders for testing oil right out of the well. They were rated at 8000 psi and hydo-tested at 16,000 psi using a pump like on a porta-power. The cylinders started to deflect above 16,000 psi. He made thousands of those. I think because not a lot of other shops knew how. They were about 2 1/2 inches diameter and 10 inches long. He made the heads in a hydraulic hose crimping machine he modified. Then he hooked up a wire feeder speed control to his lathe and welded them with stainless MIG. Then they were machined smooth and polished. After that they were tested and stamped. I don't think they were magnetic but can't remember. There are a lot of different stainless steels in each of the 3 groups. You'ld need to be a metalurgist to know what they are all for. Dave

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