cmc Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 I was given some metal that was un- weldable, weld would stick and break while cooling. Thought it would be good to practice forging with being new to smithing.The metal has a number on it(ht A27504).5 inch thick. but it seems to be too brittle for forging as well. I have pic, but not sure how to up load. I will search that so i can show what it looks like in the broken stat. Anyone know how i can figure out what type metal/ steel it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Roy Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Hard to say, ht 27504 could be a heat number which would probably only mean something to the manufacturer. What shape is this, flat bar, round bar, square bar? Will a magnet stick to it? What do the sparks look like when you put a grinder to it? Where did it come from? You should probably start with materials the origin of which you know. Go to the local steel yard or a scrap yard (with someone who knows metal) and pick up some low carbon hot rolled bars for a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Various countries and manufacturers use different codes as well, Russia and Canada both use their own systems, not knowing where you are does not help us help you. It could be almost anything from what little you told us, Possible Cast Iron, Bryllium Bronze, Unobtainium could be fun too, If you could give us real information we may be able to give you better answers. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Kryptonite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 cast iron was my first guess but some of the high alloy steels will cottage cheese if forged at two high a temp that could be interpreted as "brittleness". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Kryptonite? That glows when green I believe, so it should be fairly easy to eliminate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 My first thought when he said 'welds break when cooling' is one of the leaded or high manganese resulfurized free machining steels. If the manganese level is above 12%, the steel will be non-magnetic. You sometimes see half inch plate in the scrap stream as leftovers from abrasion-resistant earth-moving equipment. Only way to cut it is with oxy-acetylene or plasma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 Probably 4130 or similar alloy. When welded, if the proper procedures aren't followed the weld will crack and break. I've had guys weld this stuff then turn around and the weld cracks loudly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmc Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Thanks fella's. Great sight by the way, did some searching on here last night and found some test that can be done. Will try that and get it back in the fire! Happy forging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 Can you descripe what happens when you forge it? 4130 is not what I'd call unforgeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmc Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Patroy, A magnet does stick, spark test has more spark than mild steel. It is flat bar 1.125x .250. When it breaks, it is a clean break. What happened to me was i forged a piece 2.5 ft long, forged the ends down to .5 round 6 in long. It Popped about 7 in on one end. Maybe i got it too hot and putting in on the weld table acted as a heat sink. Just my guess. I will try some more soon. Thanks everyone for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmc Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Wish i knew how to up load a pic from my phone for ya Thomas. Still tring to figure out the smart/ stupid phone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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