Machining 304 stainless
Machining 304 stainless
(OP)
We are re-machining a v-groove in a 304 stainless roller approximately 10” in diameter. The rollers come from two different suppliers. The rollers from one supplier (technically a SUS 304, JIS spec) machine 'well'. The others, supplied by a local machine shop, are very difficult to re-machine. The same person does all the machining, hence speeds, feeds, tooling and set-up are all the same. The most important thing about it are that the sides of the groove are smooth. There really are no structural concerns. The faced surfaces of those that will be difficult have a very light wavy look to them. First, is there any way to make those easier to machine, either through choice of tooling or by heat-treatment (stress relieving or annealing)? Secondly, even though 304 stainless is spec'd, can there be that much difference within the grade between different mills? And is there any way to overcome this other than specifying, say, Ugima 304 or something like that. Also, kind of as an afterthought, which is easier to machine, 304 or 304L? Thank you in advance for any advice.





RE: Machining 304 stainless
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304L is slightly poorer than 304 in machineability.
RE: Machining 304 stainless
Example: For European (German quality ) 1.4571 (SS316Ti) the slight titanium amount added is especially added not for strenght but for machineability.
A really good supplier or producer of material should be able to advice you about machineability details or special tool machining procedures.
You can of course get this also from other sources (machining tools suppliers), but not without detailed material composition available.
RE: Machining 304 stainless