If you had the choice, which SS would you choose?

[PEU]

I need to turn and then mill some pieces on stainless steel and I have the liberty of choosing the kind of it to be used.

The turning part should be no problem, but the milling may be problematic, I need to mill 1/16 slots on the perimeter. I plan to use carbide 2 flute endmills.

What would be my best choice, easier to machine is priority number 1, 2 and 3

My bet is 303 but Im all ears

Thanks in advance


Pablo

[tobyaxis]

303 is your best bet.

The one thing you didn't include in your post that is very important is application. What is the function that you intend for these parts. That is one of the main keys in selecting a material.

Post your intended use and others can give good solid replies to your question.

[PEU]

Its a kind of ring, it just needs to be harder and more durable than aluminium, thats why they choosed SS and I agree, but I want my work to be simple so I want to be sure the kind of SS I choose is the most easy to machine.

These 1/16 end mills look so fragile...

Thanks


Pablo

[tobyaxis]

1/16 end mills are. As long as you don't try to remove a lot of material in one pass you should be fine. What type of Mill do you have?

[InspirationTool]

303 is the easiest to machine, but welds poorly or not at all. It it needs to be welded you'll need 304 or 316.

-Jeff

[DareBee]

304L is another very common easy to machine SS

[Ken_Shea]

DareBee,
Does the L designate leaded as it does in steel ?

[Jay_At_CJT]

No, the "L" in 304L doesn't mean leaded like it does in alloy steels. The difference is that there's .05% less carbon and 1% more nickel than in 304. I don't know about turning and milling, but 304L is one of the worst materials to have to drill in.

[DareBee]

I have always felt that it machined better than 304 but 303 is still your first choice.

[wms]

303 has a machinability index of 73.
304 is 45.
304L is 44.
316 is 40.
416 is 90, but is magnetic if that matters..

Higher the index, the easier it is to machine.

CD1212 has a index of 100

304L is designed to produce better quality welds than regular 304 due to less carbon content as mentioned..the lower carbon content is an effort to avoid harmful carbide precipitation in the weld zone.

[l u k e]

From McMaster-Carr (About Stainless Steel)

Machinability:

Stainless steel is more difficult to cut, drill, ream, tap, thread, etc. than steel because of its higher strength and hardness. It tends to become gummy when machined, however, high-speed steel tooling generally can be used. The ratings given are in relation to speed, life of the tooling, and the ease of attaining a satisfactory post-machining finish.

Excellent: 303, 416

Good : 304, 316, 410, 430

Fair: 301, 302, 309, 321, 420

Poor: 420V, 440C, 15-5 PH, 17-4 PH, Nitronic 60, A286

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Jay_At_CJT No, the "L" in 304L doesn't mean leaded like it does in alloy steels. The difference is that there's .05% less carbon and 1% more nickel than in 304. I don't know about turning and milling, but 304L is one of the worst materials to have to drill in.

Just to add a little more info to your post.

The "L" in 304L or 316L Means Low Carbon. This decreases the Machinability Rating.