Barbell-shaped rolled steel - does it exist?

[tr1ntx]

Does anyone know if barbell-shaped rolled steel barstock is available? I would swear I saw some 6 or 8 or 10 years ago, but sitting here thinking about it now, that might have been aluminum.

What I am looking for would be 3.50" to 4.00" dia rounds on 9" to 10" centers with the connecting web of 1.00" to 1.50" thickness. O--O

 

[mcgyvr]

Doubt it.. Probably an aluminum extrusion or something.

 

[unclesyd]

I would chek with forge shops, espeially the one that roll rongs.
If your quantity will allow it your part coould be cast.

 

[tr1ntx]

Yeah, checking with forge shops is a good idea. We'll need at most a couple hundred parts a year and the thought came to me that I had seen the barbell profile years ago and was surprised by it. I'm thinking it was an architectural application, maybe at a sports arena or airport, or one of those retro-styled small bridges in some downtown rejuvenation project.

 

[arunmrao]

If it is for architectural utility then a cast piece should be adequate. else,you may consider casting it followed by forging .

 

[unclesyd]

Here just a few of forge shops that might be able to help in resolving your problem. Your quantity is large enough to generate some interest in this day and time.

http://www.ajaxring.com/capabilities-contoured.aspx

Look at brochure 2 on the bottom of the page.

http://www.specialtyring.com/ring_forging_capabilities.htm

http://mcinnesrolledrings.com/

 

[BrianE22]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I read something I had not considered in one of my applications - casting and then forging. Does the forging tend to subtantially mitigate some of the casting inadequacies as far as fatigue properties go?

 

[arunmrao]

It can, depending on the amount of workdone on the casting. any reduction in defect size and distribution will improve mechanical properties.

 

[TVP]

Forging a cast preform can improve both static and fatigue strength. It is essentially the same concept as powder forging, where a pressed and sintered powder preform is subsequently hot forged to consolidate the microstructure, reduce porosity, etc. The latter process is very common for automotive components like engine connecting rods. The former is not very common, but one process that had some commercial success was Cobapress, which used a cast aluminum preform and subsequent hot forging to increase fatigue strength, etc. Automotive control arms were one area of application.