SA-516 Grade 70

[wassomeoneelse]

I have a friend in Houston, TX who knows that I am interested in blacksmithing and that I am starting to make knives. He works for a sandblasting cabinet manufacturer. He called me this evening saying he had two pieces of 3/16 x 3 x 36 of SA-516 grade 70 waiting for me when I see him this weekend. I have done a google search and have not turned up any information on this steel as it relates to making a blade out of it. Can anyone tell me if this is a suitable material to make a blade out of? If so, should it be oil quenched, etc? My feeling on this is that it is not suitable. But I want to make sure before I bring the stuff home. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bryan

 

[Dan Zawacki]

For A 516 grade 70, which is one of most popular steels, the ASME standard composition is as follows (dependent on grade):

Carbon 0.27 - 0.31%
Manganese 0.79 - 1.3%
Phosphorous 0.035% max
Sulphur 0.035% max
Silicon 0.13 - 0.45% ]

I'm sure one of the resident experts will want to weigh in on this one, but until they do, here's my best stab at it:
Plenty of Manganese and some silicon are both helpful, but there's just not enough carbon to harden up really well. Could be useful for fittings or decorative work, but I just don't see a knife out of this stuff.

This grade is used for pressure and boiling vessels. As such, it is often supplied in plate form, and the mechanical requirements for these uses have little to nothing in common with the mechanical requirements for blades.

Even so, your friend is well meaning and generous, and it could likely make some nice blade furniture.

 

[wassomeoneelse]

Dan,
Thanks for your response. Your reply was most in line with what I was thinking. I may just take the steel, say thanks, and try to use it for guards, etc. It is nice knowing that your friends are thinking of you like that. Now, if only I can get my friends at the machine shop to think of me lol.

Bryan