Stainless steel "full hard" but in a roll? 1

[antknee]

Hi,

I need some stainless steel that is 0.2mm thick that doesn't deform. I have found some stainless 304 that is "full hard" but it comes in a roll so I'm thinking it must bend because it'll come in a can. I just don't know what I'm googling for any more. I thought "full hard" meant stainless would not bend? What do I need to buy? Is there a particular term such as low ductility that I need to look for? I basically need a sheet of 0.2mm stainless that won't deform without a lot of trying, it doesn't necessarily have to be 304. Thanks. Antknee.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062FEZM6/ref=pe_175190_21431760_cs_sce_dp_1

 

[btrueblood]

The stuff you speak of is sometimes known as "shim in a can"?

Google for flat shim stock. Or go here:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#shim-stock/=g9vuhw

click on stainless steel on the left side, and scroll to bottom.

 

[TVP]

The shim stock can be wound into a coil/roll, but it has not been bent, i.e. permanently deformed. When it is unrolled/uncoiled, it will be flat and springy. Full hard or spring temper material is what you want, and this should meet your requirements.

 

[btrueblood]

TVP, I disagree. I have a fair bit of both types on my R+D shelf. The rolls have taken a permanent set. Both materials are (or are sold as) "full hard" shim stock. That's why I bought the flat stuff, for when I need something flat.

 

[antknee]

What I seem to be understanding is that even "flat full hard 0.2mm stainless 304" will be quite flexible. Is that correct?

I need 0.2mm stainless that will remain flat even when quite high force is applied. I would like it to be for example glass like and very resistant to flexing. I can't change the thickness.

I haven't considered spring stainless steel. I will go and google for it and also check the link given.

Thanks. Antknee.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

You can bend rock if you really want to.

But if it is in a roll - you might need the services of a "level line" - a series of rollers that will flatten it out. Takes a good operator to do it right.

Most steel service centers can do this..

 

[btrueblood]

"What I seem to be understanding is that even "flat full hard 0.2mm stainless 304" will be quite flexible. Is that correct?"

Yes.

 

[EdStainless]

Of course it will. How much it will flex is determined by it modulus of elasticity, it will be the same for annealed 1010 steel as for hard 304.
The strength only comes into play with how far you can flex it before it takes a set.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[antknee]

I think I understand now. I need a stainless that is full hard and with a high strength. This does tend towards stainless spring steel. I think I was put off spring stainless because I assumed the word "spring" would indicate it was more flexible than say 304, when I wanted something that wouldn't flex much. Am I the only one who thinks the name is misleading? Are there other possibilities rather than spring stainless 302? Thanks. Antknee.

 

[btrueblood]

Read Ed's reply carefully.

Hardness relates to yield strength, not stiffness.

 

[antknee]

That is very concise.

For my usage which grade of stainless would you recommend?

Thanks. Antknee.

 

[EdStainless]

The one that you can get.
If you look in ASTM A666 you will see that the various SS grades have similar strength levels when hard rolled.
There is not a great difference between grades.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[antknee]

Does anyone have a link to ASTM A666?

What is the best supplier of shim in Europe? The McMaster-Carr supplier is very good and I could use them, it'd be extra shipping though. Thanks. Ant.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Generally - you have to pay for ASTM specs as they are copyrighted. Not too expensive but they want their pint of blood....

I am sure there are a number of suppliers in Europe - get on Google or your equivalent of our "Yellow Pages"

Or just call a steel service center - they can help or direct you!!

 

[Compositepro]

Antknee, 0.2 mm glass sheet will be more flexible than 0.2mm steel sheet. You are looking for unobtainium. You can corrugate thin sheets to make them stiffer in one direction.

 

[antknee]

0.2mm stainless that is as flexible as glass would suit me fine. I haven't until now found any, there simply aren't any decent U.K. shim suppliers, I phoned up a dozen suppliers in the weeks prior to this post and ive already been sent various shims. There probably are decent suppliers in Germany but I can't speak German. Thanks. Antknee.

 

[antknee]

I've got some SS316 that is full hard and in a flat sheet. It is too flexible for my purpose...

How much stronger is full hard SS302 likely to be? Or do I have to get some made especially "very very hard" for me?

Thanks,

Ant.

 

[EdStainless]

The only way to make it flex less is to make it thicker.
How much it flexes has nothing to do with the strength/hardness.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Plymouth Tube

 

[antknee]

I've got muddled with my terminology, apologies. I need it to be harder so it doesn't deform so readily at 0.2mm thickness.

The stainless I have is Rockwell Hardness C40, am I going to be able to source SS that is say C80 off the shelf?

My thought is that it'd be easier to source SS302 at Rockwell hardness over 40 but I'm not sure.

Thanks,

Ant.

 

[antknee]

I asked McMaster Carr if they could supply stainless with a Rockwell hardness over 45 and they said because of the complexity of US export regulations they would not quote or supply new overseas clients. Export as many cars as you can but you can't export lumps of metal! I don't get that...