Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
1:58 pm
NWBA Member
March 22, 2011
Offline
Hello all. Just wondering if there are any alloys in stainless that I need to be aware of when forging.
I tend to be a scapper but don't want to breathe any dangerous alloys (cadmium, zinc, etc).
thanks
as always
peace and love
billyO
3:15 pm
NWBA Member
March 17, 2012
Offline
You shouldn't have any problems from the alloying elements. Galvanizing is a coating that burns away releasing zinc and that makes it much more readily available to poison the smith.
Stainlesses, some of them, can be forged but my experience is taking them too hot and having the billet turn into yellow crumbly sand on the anvil.
12C27 is forgeable, probably it's cousins close to that chemistry. Watch the forging temperatures carefully.
1:41 am
NWBA Member
Board Member
April 26, 2010
Offline
No bad fumes or anything from stainless, but it sure is stiff under the hammer. Takes a lot more beating to get it to shape.
No matter where you go... there you are.
4:19 pm
NWBA Member
April 22, 2010
Offline
Grinding it, then breathing the grinding dust, is to be avoided.
And actually vaporizing it, which can happen when plasma cutting or tig welding, can release some hexevalent chromium into the air. Which, again, you shouldnt breathe.
But merely forging it doesnt get it hot enough to vaporize, and is pretty safe.
When forging stainless, you will find its hard- figure you need 1 1/2 times the power hammer, or to swing that hand hammer harder, to get the same effect.
Forge it hot- bright red into yellow range, if you can get it there. When it goes dull red, reheat.
Most Users Ever Online: 668
Currently Online:
11 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Larry L: 1566
Grant: 1420
Bruce Macmillan: 625
Lee Cordochorea: 595
Lynn Gledhill: 572
JNewman: 520
Gene C: 504
J Wilson: 426
Eric Sprado: 383
Tom Allyn: 340
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 22
Members: 8722
Moderators: 4
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 23
Forums: 97
Topics: 3537
Posts: 20288
Newest Members:
RuoYi, rodeoneerer, NWBABjorn, mddangelo, Nevillberger, Crusty Veteran, redwoodforgeoakland, Jimekalmiya, George_Kelley, Roger HaydenModerators: Steve McGrew: 77, N.W.B.A.: 72, webmaster: 0, bluehost: 0
Administrators: admin: 540
Usage Policy