Thread: What type of steel will allow me too over grind to get the following affect

What type of steel will allow me to over grind to get the following effect?

I plasma cut this piece years ago and when I used A handheld grinder and put excessive pressure on it it gave me the following affect which I love. I’m not sure what type of steel this was. I’m having trouble duplicating the effect. Does anyone know what type of steel will allow me to get this effect when I over grind a piece.

Thanks everyone very much this is my first post on this forum.

The effect is more from the heat you generated with the grinder than the type of steel. You should be able to replicate that relatively easily by grinding in one area until it heats enough to change colour. Could replicate it on a larger scale with an Oxy torch if you have one available.

Originally Posted by racingtadpole

The effect is more from the heat you generated with the grinder than the type of steel. You should be able to replicate that relatively easily by grinding in one area until it heats enough to change colour. Could replicate it on a larger scale with an Oxy torch if you have one available.

I’ve got other steel that I’ve cut and try to over grind it in the same manner but cannot get the same affect. I’m aware that I achieve the effect by over grinding it in generating heat but the steel that I have now does not give me that darkening effect

I suspect the grinding wheel you originally used was blunt or loaded with aluminium or zinc. So it overheated quickly.... Also, your new steel may be thicker, and therefore not blueing as easily.

Originally Posted by jhovel

I suspect the grinding wheel you originally used was blunt or loaded with aluminium or zinc.

Worth noting that loading wheels up with Al etc is not recommended. The theory is that the metal can expand and crack the wheel. Once the wheel is cracked, pieces can then fly off...

I'd agree that looks like a heat effect. I would suggest that you really need to push into the work to get the local heat build up though. That 'straw yellow' colour means that locally it is getting up to 480/500F or 250/260C
(The steel needs to be clean too - the colour is from the steel oxidising. You won't see the colour if you have scale etc on the steel)

Michael

You will need to get the whole piece up to a decent temperature before you will be able to get that effect.
The dark blue patches occur at about 300degC.
Heat the whole piece up before you start, and be aware that the size and shape and thickness will also affect how the temperature behaves.
I’d probably try getting it to that blueish colour by general heating then work on it as it cools down.

I’m assuming you’re using an angle grinder?
Ideally you need to find a disk that will glaze up. A nice free cutting disc won’t do it for you.

Steve

Looks like the sort of this I see at the mens shed when members use a glazed flap disc.

You could try a shrinking disk although that will not give the grinding marks.

Hi MarkTheAttist
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Metal surface finishing. I suspect what you are seeking is the case hardening finish sometimes found on quality firearms.

I have attached a photo so you can compare it with what you are seeking.If you try searching case hardening firearms it might turn up a good pic and some instructions.

If these are the colours you are seeking, you need to check out some of the firearm restoration forums on the net, where better guidance than I can give you, can be found.

case-hardening.jpg

Again, welcome to our forums.

Grahame