Need Material for Hardened Pins 7

[metalman8357]

Hi all,

I'm working on a project to spec material for some 2" long 0.162" diameter hardened pins. The material must be in the form of drawing wire since there is a heading process to form a 5/16" diameter head (imagine a nail without a sharp point). The pins are then through hardened to 46-52HRC. I'm looking for the cheapest material to meet these properties. My guess is that a medium carbon steel should be sufficient. Any suggestions?

 

[Goahead]

Hello,

May I express the doubt that "the cheapest material" would not be the most fortunate qualifier for your project?

Until you sum up all expenses (procuring, delivering, receiving inspection, handling, heading, cutting, deburring, heat treating, descaling, finishing, packaging, storing and distributing) the material cost is likely to become a small fraction.

Not to say that production costs depend on lot size and degree of automation that is proper for the project.

May I suggest that you define completely your product and then request a number of RFQ (Request for Quotation) for definite lot sizes? Definite answers would give you the orientation you seem to be looking for in your query.

http://www.welding-advisers.com/

 

[EdStainless]

Do you really need it through hardened or would case hardened work?
To reach this hardness after temper you probably need 45C or more.
If you used a lower C alloy and the carburized or nitrided to get case hardness it might be less expensive, then Q&T.
You need to talk to a fastener house, someone that cold heads and heat treats.


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Plymouth Tube

 

[dbooker630]

You probably need a material spec similar to what is used for grade 8 fasteners. I agree medium carbon steel would work, something with hardenability at least 55 HRC at the center of the section. A high manganese grade like 1541 can easily reach 52 HRC as-quenched and probably higher with the section size you have.

 

[CoryPad]

If I were making these parts, I would consider 1050 steel and austempering.

 

[TVP]

Several good suggestions by the others. I definitely recommend investigating a plain carbon steel and austempering. Depending on availability, you may want to look at 1055 or 1060 as well. If you have to stick with Q&T, 1541 is probably the lowest cost grade that is regularly cold headed.

 

[EdStainless]

I'll second the 50-60 carbon with austemper, with that I had thought of it.
This heat treat will give good hardness with reasonable toughness. A good option.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[metalman8357]

Curiosity got the better of me and I got my hands on a competitor's part for analysis. You guys were dead on... They're using a 1060 austempered.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[loki3000]

what about 42CrMo4 (4142), Q+T? 50HRC shouldn't be a problem for it...

 

[EdStainless]

You don't need the alloy content of a 41xx steel since these are fairly small parts, and the austempered will have better ductility than Q&T in a 50 carbon grade.

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Plymouth Tube