Nitronic 60?

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

A part we're currently making from 17-4 H900 we're considering switching to Nitronic 60 for gall resistance.  Anything I need to know about cutting it?  Milling, drilling, reaming.

Thanks!

 

[Leon82]

Used to cut n50 a while back. I remember it was worse than stainless. I think

[jeff]

It's been a good 15-20 years since I turned it. 

If i remember right, it wasn't fun, but it also isn't like your super alloys either.

[nickbe10]

Worked for a company that made 90 % of their stuff in Nitronic 50 and 60. That was bad enough, then they started converting over to Superduplex......

Downsides:

They are all basically as hard and tough as Titanium but with lots of extra free electrons (high chrome and nickel) to add some high temp redox reactions which dissolve your tools as you watch them. Also has a tendency to work harden....so you can't just nibble away at it, especially with inserts.

Very small machining window

Upsides:

Once you are dialed in it is very predictable and dimensionally stable with nice finish.

Guhring Firex coated drills all the way. Don't tap unless you absolutely have to, threadmill, bore whenever possible. 0.02 min stock on tools down to .375. Smaller tools you can leave a little less, but you need to give it something to bite on....

Can't remember the solid carbide we settled on but I can find out. We found Stellram insert cutters with X500 held up best for us.

We were doing some fairly large parts with a fair amount of material to remove which was not much fun. Smaller parts not so bad.

Parts were severely over toleranced due to use (deep sea oil well head valves), +/- 0.005 was our loosest tolerance.

Definitely one of my more challenging gigs.....