Steel Grades
Steel Grades
(OP)
I am a new member and an old fossil so bear with me.I have been in engineering for over 40 years.I am a Senior Mechanical and Strutural Designer.I have worked on many of the largest Materials Handling Projects in the world as a Chief Draftsman and Senior Checker.
I recently started another Project as a Contracter.I was approached last week by this firm regarding a completed Project that twiked my curiousity.
Apparently they had what I concider a catastrophic failure to a 3 inch Diameter shaft.I asked what they had Specified for Steel.The reply was Grade 1040,but the Fabricator substituted 44W.My initial reaction was that Grade 1040 is an Alloy Steel usually used for its Tensile properties.Grade 44W is generally used for Structural applications.
Was I correct in this assessment?
Warmest Regards,
I recently started another Project as a Contracter.I was approached last week by this firm regarding a completed Project that twiked my curiousity.
Apparently they had what I concider a catastrophic failure to a 3 inch Diameter shaft.I asked what they had Specified for Steel.The reply was Grade 1040,but the Fabricator substituted 44W.My initial reaction was that Grade 1040 is an Alloy Steel usually used for its Tensile properties.Grade 44W is generally used for Structural applications.
Was I correct in this assessment?
Warmest Regards,






RE: Steel Grades
1040 is a medium carbon steel. I think this is a spec commonly used for shafting, at least where I have worked. I've also seen it used for gears.
I don't know what 44W is but I did notice that Ryerson had a Rytense 44 (in an old catalog) that was 1144. It has a slightly higher carbon content but still called a medium carbon, and is an alloy. Mechanical properties are slightly better.
I hope someone has better information than this however. The situation you describe requires that you have precise information.
Regards,
-Mike
RE: Steel Grades
RE: Steel Grades
The optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer see the glass as too big.