Do these numbers signify the type of steel used?

[HammerMonkey]

I have some forklift tines that I am starting to process for later use. I believe that tines like this are often made of 4140 or 4340, but I noticed some numbers stamped in them today as I was sawing them up. Some of the markings probably relate to the dimensions of the tines, or may be serial numbers. Does anyone know anything about this, or recognize the steel type, if that is what these markings are?

[Steve Sells]

SAE Steels

xx denotes amount of carbon in PPT

10xx Carbon; Mn <1.0

11xx Resulfurized

12xx Resulfurized and rephosphorized

13xx Mn 1.75

15xx Carbon; Mn 1.0–1.65

23xx Ni 3.5

25xx Ni 5.0

31xx Ni 1.25; Cr 0.65, or 0.80

32xx Ni 1.75; Cr 1.07

33xx Ni 3.50; Cr 1.50, or 1.57

34xx Ni 3.00; Cr 0.77

40xx Mo 0.2%, 0.25, or Mo 0.25

41xx Mo 0.4%, or 0.52

43xx Ni 1.82; Cr 0.50–0.80; Mo 0.25

46xx Ni 0.85, or 1.82; Mo 0.20, or 0.25

47xx Ni 1.05; Cr 0.45; Mo 0.20, or 0.35

48xx Ni 3.50; Mo 0.25

50xx Cr 0.27, 0.40, 0.50, or 0.65

51xx Cr 0.80, 0.87, 0.92, 1.00, or 1.05

52xxx Cr 1.45; C 1.0

53xx Cr 1.80; C 1.0

61xx Cr 0.60, 0.80, 0.95; V 0.10, or 0.15.

72xx W 1.75; Cr 0.75

81xx Ni 0.30; Cr 0.40; Mo 0.12

86xx Ni 0.55; Cr 0.50; Mo 0.20

87xx Ni 0.55; Cr 0.50; Mo 0.25

88xx Ni 0.55; Cr 0.50; Mo 0.35

92xx Si 1.40, or 2.00; Mn 0.65 or 0.85; Cr 0.65

93xx Ni 3.25; Cr 1.20; Mo 0.12

94xx Ni 0.45; Cr 0.40; Mo 0.12

97xx Ni 0.55; Cr 0.20; Mo 0.20

98xx Ni 1.00; Cr 0.80; Mo 0.25

[HammerMonkey]

Thank you Steve. Since I am still learning, I am not sure what to make of this info. In the markings I see one 4 digit series (2686), then a longer series (492821), and an even longer series (4220X24). The table  you provided does not have any of the following entries: 26xx, 49xx, 42xx, or even 28xx. So, does this mean it is a special cocktail of alloys that falls between some similar entries in your table, or are these markings likely to be unrelated to composition?

[ThomasPowers]

Unrelated; max load may be stamped on it; but why would a manufacturer stamp what steel they used on it?   You know any part of a car where they do that?

[HammerMonkey]

 

33 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said:

You know any part of a car where they do that?

Maybe max load is correct. I’m not sure how to translate those numbers into a weight limit though. 

I don’t know how a car is really comparable to a forklift tine in this respect though.  I only asked because I thought it might be relevant if there are different strengths, flex, temperature limits, etc associated with different grades of steel used in these tines... I don’t know, but I thought it Was a reasonable question. 

I will cut a few bits  off, spark test and try harden a couple to see if it lines up with any of my expectations.

[ThomasPowers]

Most manufacturers do not list alloys as they consider that proprietary information.  It also allows them to change the alloy 3 times a day if they get a better deal on an alloy that will also work. I've had chunks of forklift tines that tested as 1050, 4140, 4340, etc THERE IS NO ONE ALLOY USED FOR ALMOST ANY ITEM!

If you could transcribe the markings exactly rather than having us guess what they are on a small screen that would help.

[Frozenforge]

Those numbers are fork arm capacity, load center dimension (4220x24).The others are probably a Part Number and either a Serial Number or Date Code.

[HammerMonkey]

9 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

If you could transcribe the markings exactly rather than having us guess what they are on a small screen that would help.

See my earlier post (below).

12 hours ago, HammerMonkey said:

...I see one 4 digit series (2686), then a longer series (492821), and an even longer series (4220X24)...

 

6 hours ago, Frozenforge said:

Those numbers are fork arm capacity, load center dimension (4220x24).The others are probably a Part Number and either a Serial Number or Date Code.

Thank you Frozen. I figured that someone here would know the answer. And that make sense.

I have read that forklift tines are often made of 4140, but I've also read that they can be made of steel ranging from 1045 up to alloy steels like 4340. These are some very heavy tines. They measure 2" wide x 4" thick.

I'll just have to test as I would for any unknown steel.

[ThomasPowers]

Age makes a difference too; the older they are the more likely the simpler the alloy.

[JHCC]

The older I get, the simpler I become.

[Irondragon Forge ClayWorks]

1 hour ago, JHCC said:

The older I get, the simpler I become.

Isn't that the truth.

[Frosty]

Things like forklift forks are performance critical not alloy critical. The alloys are performance speced meaning any alloy that does the job is acceptable and the best deal is most probable.

Good score regardless it'll make a fine anvil(s).

I've printed out the steel code list you gave us Steve, thank you. Alloy code designations often have me scratching my head, especially if a student asks.

Frosty The Lucky.