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What’s up guys?!?!?!?! This is Michael with Michael Talks Metal. Back for the last and FINAL episode of 2021. Hard to believe this year is over. Another doozy of a year but we made it! Thank you to all you who supported the channel. If you have yet to, please consider subscribing. Thank you for the support have a great New Year and let’s do this!

Our video today is just a short introduction to the machinability of metal alloys. How do different metals and alloys compare?

Early on, metallurgists recognized the need to evaluate metals using standardized tests. It seemed that comparing the rate of metal removal would be the best measure of productivity and would be expressed in SFPM… surface feet per minute. It was also useful to express the result as a comparison to a known standard.

Steels established the then common 1212 carbon steel to represent  100 % on its relative scale. Other ferrous alloys tested were represented as a speed in SFPM and also a percentage of their rate of metal removal compared to that of 1212. At the time, the controlled conditions of the test were cutting speeds and tool materials typical for many machining operations.

100 % is not the maximum on this scale, it just established a point for comparison. Ratings indicate more or less machinable than 1212.

Relative ratings for  some common alloys on this scale:

Carbon Steels:

1018   78 %

1045   60 %

1212   100 %

12L14  170 %

Alloy Steels:

4130   72 %

4140   66 %

4340   57 %

8620   66 %

Stainless Steels:

303     78 %

304     45 %

410      54 %

416      110 %

430       54 %

440C     40%

630 AKA 17-4       48%

Well that’s a bit of history.

Metal removal rates today are much higher due to advances in machine equipment and cutting tool materials, but the relative % still has value in ranking an alloy.

Today, we have CNC machining centers, advanced carbide cutting tools and many other technologically advanced methods to machine.

Material, Tooling, and Equipment manufacturers often have specific data and recommendations for production machining of metal parts well beyond anything we can do in our series of short videos.

In the future we will be delving a little deeper into machining, we might even try to change up the format a little so we can introduce you to some of these processing first hand. Stay tuned in 2022 for more fun stuff.

Heat treatments and any cold work in fabrication history of a metal can alter machining characteristics, so careful planning is involved in any production of parts and as we always say, never, ever forget to Check the Specs.

Michlin Metals can have any material processed to your exact needs, don’t hesitate to call us or visit us at michlinmetals.com. If you made it this far and haven’t subscribed, please consider clicking here now. If you missed last weeks video, click here. Thanks for watching, this is Michael with Michael Talks Metal. See you in 2022! (which is just next Thursday 10AM!!! SEE YA!)