How to tell EN1A

This topic has 12 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 29 May 2015 at 08:19 by Nigel McBurney 1.

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18 May 2015 at 10:36 #190423
Chris Denton
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@chrisdenton53037
Morning, I've had some steel delivered. It is meant to be EN1A.

it is a lot harder to cut, the chips are different and the cut surface finish isn't as good.

The bar has a very smooth finish with a fine spiral pattern and is very bright, like stainless. There is no pitting like there is with my usual EN1A. I

Its very similar to EN8 to machine.
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18 May 2015 at 10:36 #23897
Chris Denton
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@chrisdenton53037
18 May 2015 at 10:48 #190425
mechman48
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@mechman48
Have you checked your delivery note / receipt.. is there any colour ID on the end of any of the pieces… ?

George.
18 May 2015 at 10:51 #190427
Chris Denton
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@chrisdenton53037
Yes, delivery note said EN1A and the colour on the end was the correct colour they use for EN1A.
18 May 2015 at 10:55 #190429
Ady1
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@ady1
Get a bar from another source, with a receipt, and compare them on your lathe

Sounds like it's going to be a pain to get it sorted out
18 May 2015 at 10:58 #190431
Chris Denton
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@chrisdenton53037
I have loads of EN1A here from the same supplier, completely different. I'm having to lower the speed and reduce the cut depth on this stuff!
18 May 2015 at 11:02 #190433
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
I'd take it back, with a sample from the previous delivery. Sounds like they've cocked up the grade designation when it arrived at their warehouse

edit: If EN8 is 100quid a ton and EN1 is 20 quid a ton it might be worth hanging onto it…

I Checked, no real difference

Edited By Ady1 on 18/05/2015 11:07:21
18 May 2015 at 11:25 #190434
John Stevenson 1
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@johnstevenson1
EN8 machines quite nice, this sounds more like EN3 or 3B which can be a bit stringy to cut.

The spiral marks are no test, all depends on which set of dies they pull the material thru.
18 May 2015 at 11:44 #190436
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Check you aren't comparing EN1aPb with EN1a.

Neil
18 May 2015 at 11:49 #190437
Chris Denton
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@chrisdenton53037
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 18/05/2015 11:44:25:

Check you aren't comparing EN1aPb with EN1a.

Neil

Is there that much difference?
18 May 2015 at 12:31 #190446
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
I would say "it is ~~a lot~~ harder to cut, the chips are different and the cut surface finish isn't quite as good."

Neil

Steel cuts like butter

Tubal Cain puts 'freecutting mild steel' (EN1aPb) in the same machinability class as brass, and a different one from ordinary mild steel.

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 18/05/2015 12:36:12
29 May 2015 at 01:33 #191566
Chris Denton
Participant
@chrisdenton53037
Thanks.

The supplier took it back and replaced it.

All is good again.
29 May 2015 at 08:19 #191571
Nigel McBurney 1
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@nigelmcburney1
I have bought my steel from two large suppliers over the last twenty years,all in 10 ft lengths, and I have noticed variations in machinability ,particularly the steel with the slight spiral marks,which I assume is from a rolling process,plus the occasional laminations which can be heard clicking during turning,on one occasion a lump fell out from a 40 mm bar,plus correctly marked material supplied but not what I ordered,and this from companies with all the quality approvals!!!
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