Good Book On Steel?

[tonydacrow]

Hi, Guys.

I'd like to find a good book on the physical and mechanical properties of steels and their treatment. I know Machinery's Handbook has some on the subject, but it just doesn't get into enough detail.

Specifically, I'd like to find something that will cover all of the commonly available alloys and their properties as well as heat and chemical treatments, engineering, etc.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Tony

[CompositeEngr]

Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction
William D. Callister, Jr.

Published by John Wiley & Sons.

ISBN 0-471-13459-7

This is a pretty thorough book on all materials and the science behind the processing. Covers the "why it works" not the "how do I do it at home" parts.

www.matweb.com has specific properties for materials.

[SGW]

"Tool Steel Simplified" by the Carpenter Steel Co. will give you a pretty good feel for the differences between O-1, W-1, S-7, etc. The book doesn't use those names -- it uses the Carpenter Steel brand names, and you have to deduce what is probably comparable -- but it's still pretty good. You'll have to find it used, but there are copies floating around.

[Oso]

Was that ever updated? I have a copy from back around 1950 or so, all strange old-fashioned in-house names.

They do make the point that some of the steels are close in analysis but differ in the specific treatment given them in production, so that the "guess" abvout similarity might easily be WAAAY off. An identical seeming steel might behave rather differently in that case.

[tonydacrow]

Yeah, Oso.

Same w/ people. I've been told that I'm close to human but behave rather differently...

As for you, CompositeEngr and SGW, thanks for the info. I'll see if I can't snag a copy of the books you suggest. Any other suggestions would also be greatly appreciated!

[Thrud]

Tony
I would add US Steels "The Making, Shaping, and Treating of Steel" Ninth ed. At one time you could get these for free, but most likely source now is http://www.asminternational.org/ they also have lots of other metal related books (technical level). I even bought one on "Radiation Damage in Metals".

Carpenter Specialty Alloys is at www.machiningzone.com or 800-654-6543.
They have a nice stainless bar called 70+ series - nice to machine.

[Ragarsed Raglan]

Tony,

My 'Bible' for this subject is a copy of 'Iron and steel Specifications', published by the British Steel Corporation. Not only does it list the obscure parochial specifications (like DTD numbers - a war time specification) but also it specifies and cross references British EN steel, SAE, AISI, ISO, Euronorm, API, ASTM, French AFNOR, German Werkstoffnummer and Kurzname codes, Japanese JIS grades, and Swedish SIS steel specs. A truly awesome piece of catalogueing that gives composition, recommended application, heat treatment, and additional information on virtually every iron and steel alloy from almost anywhere in the world. It also lists a comprehensive 'branded name' ~ including 'Nitralloy', and 'Marageing' ~ specs list of specialist steels.

There is no ISBN number for this book ..but it does have a code in the front fly leaf which is SSD 823 30.6.74

This probably relates to Special Steels Division #823 30th June 1974.

RR

[Herb W]

re the carpenter steel book - I have the "revised" 1960 3rd edition. Good book but unfortunately still uses those goofy proprietary names for the various tool steels.

[kgarver]

For a good basic overview of steel and things mechanical try "Marks Handbook for Mechanical Engineers." Any edition
Regards,Ken

[docsteve66]

I second "Marks" as a good reference book. My 11th edition is 3" thick (pages are not numbered sequentualy), well indexed. Best part is-they use simple words to explain complex subjects and include the complex words too. I got there sometimes to find a short article, using the words I remember then go else where for "indepth" info using marks complex words in some of the "technical" references. They cover lots of electrical as well as mechanical info. Almost no math. You need more info on most subjects than Marks gives if you want to win beers, but Marks will sure correct a lot of misconceptions that are genraly believed.
AND ITS CHEAP!!! (second hand any way). Every one should have at least one copy.
It also makes a good gift.

[SGW]

Yes, "Tool Steel Simplified" does have the naming convention problem. Aside from that though, I think it gives an excellent explanation of when certain types of steels (water hardening, oil hardening, air hardening, etc.) are appropriate to use, and why (or why not).