Machining 17-4PH
Machining 17-4PH
(OP)
I have a piece of 0.25" 17-4 plate that forms a Z shape (approx. 7" long and 2" high with web of 3/16" thick). I had the plate treated to approx H900. I waterjet cut the Z shape. I then had to mill 0.06" off most of one side. The part warped 0.05". I had the material (Z-shaped parts) tempered back to the annealed state and milled another piece and it warped about 0.035". Any ideas? I am taking the 0.060" off in one pass. Could I be building up to much heat?
Thanks.
Thanks.





RE: Machining 17-4PH
To mill it in the hardened state try cermets or cermaics.
RE: Machining 17-4PH
Some steels release stress when waterjet cut and do not come out true size/shape.
In general I leave 0.5mm on for milling and add lugs to the sides of the part that I then use to clamp it in the mill, 5mm holes in the lugs Then grind them off afterwards.
Some high strength aerospace alloys particularily nimonics need 2mm on then clean up on the mill 0.5mm a pass
Tin coated hss cutters 6mm dia 4000revs 400mm/min feed work great for me
RE: Machining 17-4PH
RE: Machining 17-4PH
What works very goed on these types of materials including ordinary stainless is the following.
If you using a face milling cutter from say diameter 80 mm
and it has 6 teeth,take out 5 inserts and leave one in.
This isnt the fastest methode but its a good solution when machining thin products.I use this method when trouble shooting,hope it works for you,If so let me know.Kind regards.
RE: Machining 17-4PH
RE: Machining 17-4PH
agree with BobUXL, You almost always have to stress relieve
this material in the H900 condition prior to milling.
Once stress relieved, I think you'll find the material to
quite stable and repeatable.