Hi wear Stainless material help

[houdini16]

Hello all, I know very little about the extreme technical aspects of different materials, and hope this is the correct forum.
I am a machinist/tool and die engineer(by training not degree), I have been given a task of finding a appropriate material for a pin that needs to be weather resistant (stainless?) hard but not brittle, as usual right.
The short pin will act similar to a non rotating ball detent, being pushed laterally in and out of the socket repeatedly, is their a material you suggest.
With my minimal experience machining parts for engineers, I would assume 440? or Percipitated, say 17-4. Any help would be appreciated.
Also hardening would it be better to just have it surface /case hardened as apposed to fully, Its only .25 Dia. x.375 length.
Thank Guys.
CHEERS!

 

[tbuelna]

What material is the pin bearing against? What is the bearing stress level at the contact interface?

 

[houdini16]

Im not sure what the metal type is its bearing against, some type of weather resistant metal, the pocket the pin is rerceived into is in the tip of a ski boot (Dynafit) they have a piece of I would assume stainless it the front of the boot that accepts a piching claw type binding that opens and closes, if you go to Dynafit web site youll see what I mean. the bindings from what im told have springs of 1000 pounds of pressure, but thats unlikely, when you crash the spring pressure has to let go of your boot so you dont break your leg,

http://www.dynafit.com/products-winter/bindings.html

http://www.dynafit.com/products-winter/boots.html

here you can see their version of this pin and the boots, i need to get my pin to mate to.
Thanks

 

[tbuelna]

houdini16-

After taking a look at the mating pin socket in the ski boot you showed, I would suggest using a pin made from a 400-series stainless steel (ie. 410 or 416). This will provide the best combination of cost and strength. The socket on the boot appears to be made from a sheet metal stamping, so it is likely a relatively soft austenitic stainless alloy.

Hope that helps.
Terry

 

[houdini16]

Thanks for the help, as usual you guys are awesome, always very helpful, love this site.