Easy reference table of metal and alloys?

[inchpincher]

My lathe is finally operational but i only have scraps of mild steel and acetal so I need to stock up on some round bar to practise on. I'm frankly a bit overwhelmed with the selection at the steel stockholders, has anyone got a bookmarked link or reference table for ferrous and non-ferrous metals and their relative merits for machining?

Btw I've had a look at the matweb site in the links section but find it a bit clumsy.

 

[hotrodder]

Ally is easy in that barstock tends to be most commonly 6082-T6 which is an 'allrounder' that's weldable, machines nicely in the T6 condition (gummy when annealed), pretty good corrosion resistance, good strength etc. The most common alternative (not offered in all sizes/forms of bar) is 2011-T3 which is a 'free machining' flavour. Machinability is fantastic but it's not weldable* and like all the 2xxx series (ally + copper) it's corrosion resistance is poor.

Doesn't talk about machinability but lists colour codes for various flavours of metal http://parkersteel.net/steel/media/pdf/literature/Bright_Steel_Colour_Chart.pdf anything that's leaded (Pb) or contains sulphur (303 stainless) is free machining i.e. produces small chips, machines nicely/easily etc. Other properties all suffer some as a result so 303 stainless for example doesn't weld nicely (undercutting and prone to centre line cracks), has lower corrosion resistance than other 3xx stainless etc. I'm not aware of a simple machinability chart for the various flavours of steel and hardness/temper effects things anyway

There's data sheets for all the usual common suspects that aren't carbon steel here... http://www.aalco.co.uk/datasheets/?gId=1&sgId=36 which cover machinability/weldability and available forms
Lots here on different flavours of steel but not sure if there's much/anything on machinability... http://www.westyorkssteel.com/steel-specifications/
Aluminium only but covers a lot of ground... http://aluminium.matter.org.uk/aluselect/


* it can be physically welded but it's nasty due to the lead added to improve machinabilty and it's properties are wrecked

 

[inchpincher]

Thank you for the information HR, useful reading.

I guess what I'm looking for is layman's terms for all the different steels. Like you say, I have a feel for aluminium and stainless from welding, I've done a fair bit of reading about chromoly too but very few websites will tell you reasons to choose a mid carbon steel over a high carbon steel over ground flat stock vs key steel vs black carbon steel etc.

I will get my head around this!

Ta

Edit: I found some basic info towards the back of this early lathe manual too...
http://www.bbssystem.com/manuals/Lathe-Tutorial.pdf

 

[chris-law]

Thank you for the information HR, useful reading.

I guess what I'm looking for is layman's terms for all the different steels. Like you say, I have a feel for aluminium and stainless from welding, I've done a fair bit of reading about chromoly too but very few websites will tell you reasons to choose a mid carbon steel over a high carbon steel over ground flat stock vs key steel vs black carbon steel etc.

I will get my head around this!

Ta

Edit: I found some basic info towards the back of this early lathe manual too...
http://www.bbssystem.com/manuals/Lathe-Tutorial.pdf

Nice find on the manual