identifying metals ?

[morpheus]

I had a friend TIG weld something for me that I turned down on a lathe and pressed together with another piece to make something. Others look at what I've made and reply that they don't like it cause it's cast iron joined to steel.

I'm no metalurgist but I thought cast iron was HARD, the part in question a Dana axle driveshaft yoke turned not much differently than a mild steel part. And from my observation welded quite easily.

so, what is the difference in all the terms I hear about metals ?

Cast Iron
Nodular Iron
Cast Steel
Forged Steel
etc ....

what is the difference between iron and steel ????

- jack

[BillC]

Jack,

You ask a very BIG question. Your yoke was probably a forging, not a casting. Both can have parting lines.

I would suggest reading one of the introductory welding books. They go into metallurgy enough to answer all of your questions.

OR, try internet searches for these words. You'll probably find what you need quickly.

Good Luck!

[morpheus]

was my yoke forged steel, forged iron or what ?

i've read alot but guess I'll search/read some more ...

- jack

[Big Nate]

you might want to go ask over at pirate

[morpheus]

Originally posted by Big Nate
you might want to go ask over at pirate

Several of the responses there are what prompted me to ask here.

you get out of the lawn business into the scrap metal business Nate ?

- jack

[BillC]

Try this as a start:

Iron is the element

Steel is an iron-carbon alloy typically containing less than 2% and usually less than 1% carbon.

Cast iron is an iron-carbon alloy typically containing 2 - 4% carbon and 1-3% silicon. The four basic cast iron metallurgical types are gray, white, malleable, and ductile. There is also a fifth group, the high-alloy cast irons.

Nodular iron, also called ductile cast iron, is a cast iron where the free carbon is in the form of spheres instead of flakes. Ductile iron is popular because it has high strength, ductility, and toughness.

Cast iron and steel are poured as a liquid into molds, usually very close to final shape.

What else?

Forged steel is formed into near final shape using dies. The process is usually progressive and performed while the material is red hot.

[morpheus]

thanks for the info Bill.

I have absolutely no idea what this yoke is made out of now

- jack

[BillC]

Originally posted by morpheus
thanks for the info Bill.

I have absolutely no idea what this yoke is made out of now

- jack

I'd guess forged steel.

[morpheus]

Originally posted by BillC
I'd guess forged steel.

me too ... how does one REALLY determine ?

- jack

[jason]

I've heard some swear by spark testing, I never had much trust in it though.

Jason
________
F9

[HackAsaw]

http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/tc/9-524/toc.htm

http://www.tpub.com/engine2/index.htm

a bit of poking around these two will show the the six or seven test to really narrow down the field if you can't nail it positively.

I wish I could remember it all but being able to tell a piece of stainless from monel and inconel is kinda nice when you have unlabled pieces laying underfoot.

[Big Nate]

Originally posted by morpheus


Several of the responses there are what prompted me to ask here.

you get out of the lawn business into the scrap metal business Nate ?

- jack

nah, just put it on hold for the rest of the year due to some bad calls on my part sence my mom works in the ag industry she knows farmers that have scrap equipment rotting away and need it hauled so I am doiung that for right now

[BillC]

Originally posted by morpheus


me too ... how does one REALLY determine ?

- jack

I'd try calling Dana Corporation Spicer Division and asking them...

[Roger]

I am generally happy with cost & results of spark testing and magnets to determin metal types. When that isn't good enough here are some links to more costly & precise methods.

http://www.koslow.com/method.html

http://www.koslow.com/products.html

http://www.edax.com/products/EDXRF/handheld/index.html

http://www.niton.com/newproducts.asp

Those are just small sample of what's avalilable.

[HackAsaw]

http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/tc/9-237/toc.htm

this is another good one.

I actually have the paper version (thick as a phone book) of the machine and welding circulars

so much good info but nothing in there about my three phase Hobart CyberWave S 110