Uses for 17-4 Stainless??

Dr.Lathe

Dr.Lathe

Joined
Aug 4, 1999
Messages
2,596
I have lots of 17-4 round stock scrap from my last machinist job. I know that it's a heat treatable stainless but I would like to know just what its capabilities are?? I was hoping to use it for pivot hardware for my folders. We heat treated small parts that acted like a circlip. 900 degrees for one hour and air cooling brought them up to about 45-47 Rc. Does anyone have any heat treat specs for making it harder??? Is it possible?? Would it make decent folder pivot pins?? I like it because it finishes nicer than normal tool steels and machines nice in my little lathe.
Thanks in advance for ANY help in this regard.

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Neil: Cond. H-900 is the max hardness for 17-4 PH. St\Stl. 45-47. I dont know how hard you have been makeing your pivot pins. Some of my customers make there pins out of 416 St\Stl. and max hardness on it is 45\46. Paul.
 
Thanks Paul!

I recall that condition 900 spec being on many of the prints we made the parts from. I thougth it might go harder than 47 at higher temps. I've been told that about 5 Rc points lower than the blade steel is about the optimum for wear and strength for pivot pins. I'm going to make my screws out of 416, 303 and Ti. My thoughts are to go a little harder than 47 Rc with the pin itself.

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it!!!

Neil

------------------
Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
George,
I know from experience that it's a lot harder to machine than 303 or 416. Although it's a stainless it will discolor faster than any other stainless I've seen. In the citrus industry it's used on parts that have to be stainless but where a high tensile strength is important. Most of it that's been in use for a while has turned brown... NOT RUSTED, just a light brown!!

Neil

------------------
Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
I like it better for liner locks that Ti. Easier to work and makes a great long lasting spring.
 
cowboy, knifemaker.........metalurgist!!?
tongue.gif
 
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