Michael Talks Metal

About Michael Talks Metal

Can't seem to find easy to consume information about steel, aluminum and aerospace metals? You have come to the right place. Here we discuss all topics that surround metal. Specific grades, processes like heat treating and grinding plus much more! Please see more info about Michlin Metals at www.michlinmetals.com

Publisher

Michlin Metals

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Apr 2021

Latest episode

18 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

35 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Aug 2026

   Part 2: Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steels P2

   Full Transcript: What's up guys?!?! Michael with Michael Talks Metal back again for the 144th episode in our current video series; our second on PH stainless steels...  If you have not seen the first and would like to do so now . .... click here Our next classification is called semi- austenitic. Chemical composition of these alloys lead to a different set of structures during the multiple steps in heat treatment. Like all the PH stainless steels, the first step is a "solution treatment"that achieves a uniform distribution of elements in an austenitic structure. On cooling from the solution temperature, the structure of these alloys REMAINS austenitic at ambient temperature..........but only temporarily. The relatively soft and ductile austenitic structure gives us an opportunity for much more extensive fabrication prior to hardening than in the martensitic types. To enable the final hardening of the material, we need to  first make the austenitic structure transform to a martensitic structure.  Three methods can be used to trigger the formation of the martensite structure. Either: A subzero cooling to temperatures on the order of minus 100 degrees F and holding for up to 8 hrs. or Heating to about 1400 degrees F and holding up to 3 hours or cold work ( like cold rolling sheet ) Once we have produced the martensitic structure, our familiar aging treatments are able to do the final hardening. The combined two step process of  hardening in these types is indicated by a letter prefix plus the H followed by the ageing temperature . The prefix indicates the method of forming martensite. For example: RH950  indicates a sub zero refrigeration ( hence the R) followed by ageing (the H) at 950 degrees F TH1050 would indicate the Thermal  method followed by ageing at 1050 degrees F. CH900 indicates Cold work followed by ageing at 900 degrees F. Common examples of semi- austenitic grades are 17-7( AISI 631), 15-7 (632), AM-350 (633),and AM-355 (634). Applications for these types often require the premium cleanliness of vacuum melting. Precise details of the required heat treatments vary by grade and specification. Austenitic is our last classification of PH stainless steels. It is for those types that retain an austenitic structure from solution treatment through aging. Although much lower strength than the other two PH types, they are non-magnetic and have higher strength than the 300 series stainless steels. Solution treatment is typically performed at higher temperatures than for the other types. Aging is performed at temperatures of 1300 deg F  and above. Most often only a single aging treatment applies to these alloys.  With their higher aging temperature, these alloys can be used at temperatures where the other PH types would lose strength. An example of this type is grade A286...... used for aerospace engine or turbine applications. Specifications and part requirements can change what we have shown here today .... so for the 144 th time CHECK THE SPECS !!!!!!!! TWICE So this is Michael with Michael Talks Metal. Thanks for watching. More question about PH Stainless Steels? Check the website for more info www.michlinmetals.com. Still here and haven't subscribed, click here. Missed last weeks' video? Click here. Thanks for watching, see you same time, same place next week, Thursday, 10am, YouTube, I'm out!

2. 

   11 Aug 2026

   Part 2: Martensitic Stainless Steel

   Full Transcript: What's up guys?!?!?! Michael with Michael Talks Metal back for more martensitic machinations in our 2nd part on Martensitics!!!! In our video last week we talked about martensitic types that have a maximum carbon content of point 15% and maximum hardness of about 40 Rc.  If you did not check out that video .. click here Higher carbon contents allow us to achieve higher hardness and strength with heat treatment. Higher Chromium and other added elements can improve corrosion performance and / or mechanical properties. First up today are several alloy grades that are small modifications of the chemistry we saw in type 410. They have similar applications but are utilized where 410 is not quite satisfactory: Type 414 at point 15% max carbon and 11.5-13.5% Chromium has Nickel added at 1.25-2.50 % which improves its ability to harden and adds toughness that makes it more useful in the low 40's Rc hardness range than type 410 . The Nickel also improves corrosion performance in some environments. It also improves mechanical properties at modestly higher temperatures as compared to type 410. Type 431 at point 20 max carbon, 15 to 17 % Chromium and 1.25%-2.50 % Nickel has improved corrosion performance from the higher Chromium as compared to either 414 and 410. Type 418 (aka Greek Ascoloy) at point 15 to point 20% carbon, 12 to 14 % Chromium, 1.8 to 2.20 % Nickel, has 2.50 to 3.50 % tungsten for higher strength at elevated temperatures..... above those where 403 and 410 are used. Jet engine or land-based gas turbine applications would be examples. Type 422 at point 20 to point 25 % carbon, 11 to 13 % Chromium, point 5 to 1 % Nickel, point 75 to 1.25 % Molybdenum, point 15 to .30% Vanadium and point 75 to 1.25% Tungsten. Say THAT ten times fast! Also used for the complex requirements at elevated temperatures. Next up is a type that could easily be considered as its own group of alloys since type 420 is very broadly defined as point 15 MINIMUM carbon, 12 to 14% Chromium.  First time we have encountered a stainless alloy with carbon specified as minimum.  We know how important the carbon content is in martensitic stainless steels so we can expect a wide variation in hardness and strength depending on the carbon content. Hardness can range from the low 30's to middle 50's on the Rc scale. In the most common compositions, the carbon is in the range of point 3 to point 4% carbon. Common applications are in cutlery and plastic molds. There are also free machining grades indicated by the "F" suffix... 420F.  ALWAYS be looking for a further specification that defines the material to assure the final product will do what it needs to do in service. Lastly, we have a group of alloys in the highest range of carbon in the martensitic series ....... the 440's Chromium content is 16 to 18% and has three variations with differing carbon content. The higher Chromium content improves corrosion performance over type 420 or 410 and the higher carbon increases the strength and hardness capability. 440A has point 60 to point 75% carbon. 440B has point 75 to point 95% carbon. 440C has point 95 to 1.25% carbon Hardness from the low 50's for "A" and mid 50's for "B" and are commonly used in cutlery and similar applications. 440C is typically used at around 60 Rc and used in valves or bearings and  other applications where both corrosion and wear resistance are important. As usual, we caution viewers that chemical composition can be further restricted by specifications and add important additional requirements.  So for the 142nd time...CHECK THE SPECS !!!! TWICE . This is Michael with Michael Talks Metal. Michlin Metals is a full service, value added distributor of all things Martensitic Stainless and more, check the website www.michlinmetals.com for more info.

3. 

   11 Aug 2026

   Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel Basics P1

   Full Transcript: What's up guys?!?! Michael with Michael Talks Metal back for the 143 rd time in this video series ......today we're dropping the first of two on the PH stainless steels. Buckle Up buttercup cause we're goin for a ride! Before we get started, if you have been watching this series and enjoying it, please consider hitting that little subscribe button. OK, back to today's topic....  PH stainless steels. High strength, excellent corrosion performance, and a simplified heat treatment are advantages of the PH types as compared to the conventional  martensitic types we discussed in the last two videos. PH is shorthand for "Precipitation Hardening" which is a heat treatment that is a bit different from that of the conventional heat treatments. An initial "solution treatment" at high temperature .....typically 1900 degrees F....  assures that all the alloy elements needed for the hardening reaction are uniformly distributed within the metal structure. At these temperatures the structure is austenitic. From this temperature, the alloy is cooled at a rate that retains the distribution of the hardening elements in solution. Depending on the chemical composition of the specific alloy, the resulting structure after the "solution treatment" is either martensitic, semi-austenitic, or austenitic. These structures contain more of the hardening elements than would be completely stable, so it's just waiting for an additional heat treatment to cause things to happen within the structure. But things are stable enough that we can choose to fabricate components prior to a final heat treatment. This additional relatively low temperature heat treatment is  called "aging". The increased temperature and time allow the elements mobility to combine and form the "precipitates" (think particles) that then strengthen the structure. Before we go further let's split the PH alloy types by the solution treated structure....... First up are the Martensitic types. They form a low carbon somewhat brittle martensite when solution treated. Alloys should not be used in the solution treated condition. When reheated to the aging temperatures the particles that form further strengthen the structure and also improve toughness and corrosion performance. The resulting heat-treated condition is designated by the letter H followed by the aging temperature.  For example:  H900 indicates that it has been solution treated and then aged at 900 degrees F.  Hardness increases and yield strength minimums of 170,000 psi are achieved with this second simple heat treatment. Conditions range from H900 thru to H1150, and even a Double H1150 (with two aging sessions at 1150 degrees F).  The higher the aging temperature the lower the strength but toughness is increased. H1150M is an overaged condition producing the lowest hardness Solution treated, solution annealed, annealed, and Cond A are synonymous in these stainless steels. Often, these types are solution treated by the producing steel mill and then the aging treatment is performed after additional fabrication to parts. If already in the required aged condition, then no further heat treatment is required.  It’s all a matter of what provides the best manufacturing plan. Common grades in this group include 17-4 (aka 630), 15-5, 13-8, 450, and 455 15-5 and 13-8 are examples of premium vacuum melted types .... the additional melting under vacuum minimizes any harmful impurities for critical applications like highly stressed aerospace components Specifications and part requirements are always critical, so for the 143 rd time we remind you to ... CHECK THE SPECS!!!!!! TWICE So this is Michael with Michael Talks Metal, thanks for watching.

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