Machinability of Armor Plate ASTM-A514 Grade H

[kingfisher]

Has anyone had experience machining Armor Plate, ASTM-A514 Grade H? I have a customer who has asked me what to expect? I have not had the opportunity to tackle this type of material yet. He has to quote it and the job is large. If he is wrong on the quote, he could be losing money for a long time.

He was thinking if it eats tools he may choose to try to waterjet the parts. Lots of various size holes and profiling of the plate.

From what I gather it is soft, but the nickel maybe a problem. Also told the material moves alot, when machined. It's hard to hold demensions.

[davereagan]

Hello,
I saw your post and no replies. I was wondering what you experience was 4 months ago with the A514 material. The Rockwell C hardness is 25-30, so that's reasonable to cut, but I have not cut it before. I am hoping it's not more difficult than 4140 HT which is 3-4 points higher in Rockwell but does not have nickel. Anything you can tell me is appreciated.

Dave

[Spruk805]

Waterjet would be great for this job.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[mechematt]

Just curious how this worked out? particularly because I think A514 Gr H has been discontinued for some time and either way it is not armor plate (I would hide behind it if there was nothing else around but...) and I hope nobody is selling it as such, w/out the V50 test and charpy (certain heats might make it...). We use alot of A514 Gr. B and both RHA (MIL-STD-125600) and High Hard Steel (MIL-STD-46100) armor plate. The A514 is tough to machine but it is a dream compared to the RHA and HHS.