The company I work for has metallurgy/polymer labs in Texas, Louisiana and Singapore. Would anyone happen to know of a calibration company capable of handling calibrations in those parts of the world? The equipment is primarily metallurgical (tensile machines with mechanical/digital...
In general, what are the major factors that should be considered when trying to decide between different steel grades for the same application? For example, if I want to make a simple combination wrench and have to choose between 4047 and 5046 what should I base my decision on as it relates to...
I have received a couple of wrenches that are showing the as-titled surface defects. These wrenches are in finished condition and were made from steel grade 4047. Steel and hardness results meet spec.
After microscopic examination, I found some defects that are outlined by a thin decarb...
I've received two Craftsman 1/2" drive teardrop ratchets in finished/plated condition that experienced premature failure during routine torque test. Both failed at the same site located at the fork.
Results so far:
1. Bulk hardness of 46-48 HRC meets spec (40-48 HRC)
2. Chemical composition...
I am trying to determine which type of grain structure (either ferritic fine as rolled grain or austenitic fine grain by application of correct steel making composition) needs to be included in a specification for AISI 1045. This steel will be used to make hand tools, which will be formed using...
About a week ago, I got word that some of our plier products were showing up cracked after heat treating. At that time, I was told there was reason to believe the cracking might have been related to a raw material defect or possibly introduced during forging. I was sent some raw material...
I've got an extension bar that's showing some prominent surface defects. This extension was fabricated by friction welding two pieces together (drive/female end is material 5140 and tang/male end is material 4142). The sample I have is in heat treated condition. The defects are found only on...
I have a snip blade cutting tool that appears to have been (based on EDS results) plated intially with a pure Ni layer which was then covered by a second layer of TiAlCrN (most likely by PVD process). The surface hardness of the snip blade was induction hardened to 60-62 HRC.
It's my...
I'm trying to find out what type of coating technology might have been used on a small snip blade cutting tool. EDS results clearly indicate the 1st layer (directly on surface) is Ni. The layer on top of this appears to be TiAlCrN so was most likely created by PVD coating process.
It's my...
I am doing a failure analysis of a Spanner wrench. Specifically, the hook component has fractured and was returned by the customer. There is no information available explaining how the tool was being used when it failed.
The hook was cast from AISI 4140 grade steel modified to have a Silicon...
I am the manager of a metallurgical lab for a large handtool manufacturer. It is the only lab the company currently has and we service all 6 of our plants for a wide variety of job requests including: failure analysis, raw material auditing (surface quality check, mechanical properties, coating...
I have a couple of broaches made from M2 tool steel, which have catastrophically fractured prematurely while in service. I've analyzed the chemical composition and everything meets ASM specification for M2 except for Manganese. The spec calls for 0.15-0.40% and I am getting around 0.57% for...
I was wondering if I might be able to get some input from you guys regarding a failure I'm currently working on. I am investigating a die case that has fractured into two pieces. I've attached a .pdf of what I have so far. I've included some short background information as well that will...
I have received two sockets for evaluation. One is related to supplier "A" and one to supplier "B". Allegedly, the socket from "A" represents parts that are showing excessive tooling issues during forming/heading. In addition, machining of this socket introduced surface burrs. All issues are...
I have some cutting blades which were investment cast from steel grade 4068 (not sure of the specific composition). The cutting edge have been induction hardened to 58-60 HRC.
As an experiment, I want to increase strength/durability in order to allow for a longer lasting cutting edge. Since...
I have been asked to measure the hardness of a 0.005" thick piece of C1050 grade steel. Since surface hardness clearly isn't possible, I mounted a sample and will do microhardness. The specification for this thin steel requires testing by Vickers using load 10kg and is supposed to show results...
I have a finished 3/8" ratchet handle. The head was as-cast from steel grade 4130, which was then friction welded to bar stock of steel grade 1045. What might have caused the clearly visible surface pits found localized along the welding line?
I have sectioned through the weld zone and am not...
I have two identical sockets. They were made from the same material and were both hot forged at 1600 degrees F. The only difference is that after forging, one socket was air cooled to room temperature and the other was initially air cooled to 1200 degrees F followed by convection/fan cooling...
This is probably basic stuff for a lot of you guys here but I'm having a hard time finding clarification. I am analyzing a failed ratchet handle made from steel grade AISI 5046. Hardness and mechanical properties meet spec. There are no signs of mechanical damage or any other defects that...
I received a couple of ratchet handles yesterday that show cracking in nearly the same location. Samples were hot forged from steel coil 4047 and heat treated to 42-46 HRC. Finish coating is Ni-Cr.
I am trying to determine the origin of this crack. Is there some criteria that differentiates...
