Within the film Conan the Barbarian, we hear an amazing deal about “the riddle of metal.” We’re by no means advised precisely what that riddle is, however in fashionable instances, it could be: What’s the distinction between 4150 and 1020 metal? For those who’ve been round a machine store, you’ve most likely heard the AISI/SAE numbers, however should you didn’t know what they imply, [Jason Lonon] can help. The video beneath covers what the grade numbers imply intimately.
The 4 digits are literally two separate two-digit numbers. Generally, there will probably be 5 digits, wherein case it’s a two-digit quantity adopted by a three-digit quantity. The primary two digits inform you the precise kind of metal. For instance, 10 is abnormal metal, whereas 41 is chromium molybdenum metal. The final two or three digits point out how a lot carbon is within the metal. If that quantity is, say, 40, then the metal comprises roughly 0.40% carbon.
A standard instance of a five-digit code is 52100 metal. That’s ball bearing metal, and it has 1% carbon. You’ll discover that of the primary two digits, the primary digit adjustments when the principle alloying aspect adjustments. That’s, 2000-series metal makes use of nickel whereas 7000-series makes use of tungsten.
Device metal has a special system, with a letter indicating the kind of metal and a quantity indicating its alloy properties. Device metal could be quenched in oil, air, or water. It may also be sizzling or chilly drawn, and the letters will inform you how the metal was made. As you may count on, every kind has totally different properties, which you will care about in your utility.
For instance, kind W — water-hardened — isn’t used a lot as we speak as a result of it warps and cracks extra typically than metal produced with oil quenching.
If you would like a list of steel grades, Wikipedia is your good friend. You’ll see there are a selection of letters you may throw in to point hardness, and issues like boron or lead added to the alloy, however these aren’t quite common. Stainless-steel additionally has a coding system that the video doesn’t cowl, however yow will discover extra data on the Wikipedia web page.
If you wish to work with metal, you’ll need heat. Subsequent time you utilize tungsten metal, marvel at the truth that the Earth’s crust has about 1.25 parts per million of the rare element. But the world produces greater than 100,000 tonnes of it a yr.
