August, 2000 - Substantially improved machinability is offered by Project 7000® stainless Type 416, latest in the line of Project 7000 stainless alloys developed by Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, PA. Depending on the application, Carpenter estimates that the new stainless steel gives fabricators the capability to improve productivity from 25% to 50% over that possible with generic stainless Type 416. It also offers a good productivity advantage over the company's companion Project 70® stainless Type 416, which has been well known for its free-machining characteristics. The expected gain may be measured in terms of any one or more of several key variables - faster speeds, higher feeds, longer tool life, less downtime, better finishes, or the ability to machine difficult parts that were previously unmanageable.

Project 7000 stainless Type 416 is the first martensitic stainless grade in Carpenter's Project 7000 stainless series. It is a hardenable, straight-chrome alloy.

Unlike Carpenter's No. 5-F stainless steel, heretofore the best machining variation of Type 416 stainless steel, the new alloy can be hardened like conventional Type 416 stainless and meet all material specifications for Type 416 stainless. Still, in the annealed condition, it machines as well as the low work-hardening No. 5-F stainless steel.

As with all grades in the Project 7000 stainless series, the new stainless Type 416 alloy was developed over a period of time in Carpenter's research and development laboratory, then evaluated by machinability tests on the lab's own screw machine and CNC lathe.

After results were confirmed inhouse, beta site trials were conducted in customer plants and shops to verify expectations under actual production conditions. Carpenter reports that initial field test results have been excellent, with one customer reporting a 50% increase in productivity.

Nominal analysis of the new stainless is: carbon 0.15% max., manganese 1.25% max., phosphorous 0.06% max., sulfur 0.15% min., silicon 1.00% max., chromium 12.00/14.00%, balance iron.

Carpenter introduced its Project 7000 family of stainless steels to the metalworking industry in late 1995. That group includes Types 303, 304 and 316 stainless steels, all patented. Between that trio and stainless Type 416, it also produces Project 7000 stainless Type 203.

Arrangements to obtain Project 7000 stainless Type 416 for trial purposes may be made by calling any Carpenter service center or sales representative.

( Canadian readers can obtain additional information from Carpenter's Toronto Service Center by calling 1-800-268-4740)