From where can I buy small quantities of powdered carbon steel in the uk?

Hi Bob

to the Surface Engineering Forum.

I think we need more information to be helpful. Chemical composition, purity, particle size/shape etc.. If you are not sure then tell us the function/application for the powder.

Hi Gordon,

I'm looking for a medium carbon steel (say 0.6 - 0.9 %carbon) in powder form. I've tried shot blasting grit but it's a wee bit too course. The application is nothing to do with metal spraying, I'm trying to make my own powder crucible steel!

Hi Bob

Have you thought of trying the fine swarf from filing or turning?

They're too course and often too oily! What we are trying to do is this:

We take an old chainsaw or motorbike chain and coil it in a can. We then add powder and vibrate the can so that the powder fills the gaps in the chain. Next we heat to just below the melting and allow to soak. The final step is placing the can in a hydraulic forging press to fuse the metals together. The results can be seen here:

http://www.radharcknives.com/Chain%20blade%20comp.jpg

Hi Bob

I see what you are trying to do now, very artistic. You are after a fine free flowing powder that packs well.

I tried a quick search, but really only ended up finding this message thread

I think you need to contact a few powder metallurgy supply companies, but I suspect you will have problems with minimum order quantities. Thermal spray powders would probably work and usually supplied in smaller quantity, but your choice in carbon steels will be limited and price may be high. Maybe you could also consider using high chromium steel or alloy tool steel powders.

Sorry not very helpful, hopefully someone will come along with a useful lead.

Hi everybody,

I, myself am looking for a similar thing (med to high carbon, plain (or low alloy) steel in powder form) for a very similar reason (though strictly speaking this is not crucible steel, it's instead a method for making what we call damascus steel (welded in a canister rather than melted in a crucible))

Bob, if you would like to send me an email, I can point you in the direction of some overseas suppliers, or possibly join me (& probably a few others from the forum I normally frequent) in a "group buy" to save some pennies (it's almost always cheaper to buy in larger quantities)


Sorry to interrupt, back to you guys


Thanks


Colin

Bob Wrote:Hi Gordon,

I'm looking for a medium carbon steel (say 0.6 - 0.9 %carbon) in powder form. I've tried shot blasting grit but it's a wee bit too course. The application is nothing to do with metal spraying, I'm trying to make my own powder crucible steel!

colin kc Wrote:Hi everybody,

I, myself am looking for a similar thing (med to high carbon, plain (or low alloy) steel in powder form) for a very similar reason (though strictly speaking this is not crucible steel, it's instead a method for making what we call damascus steel (welded in a canister rather than melted in a crucible))

Bob, if you would like to send me an email, I can point you in the direction of some overseas suppliers, or possibly join me (& probably a few others from the forum I normally frequent) in a "group buy" to save some pennies (it's almost always cheaper to buy in larger quantities)


Sorry to interrupt, back to you guys


Thanks


Colin

Bob Wrote:Hi Gordon,

I'm looking for a medium carbon steel (say 0.6 - 0.9 %carbon) in powder form. I've tried shot blasting grit but it's a wee bit too course. The application is nothing to do with metal spraying, I'm trying to make my own powder crucible steel!

Not sure, but try to talk with Hoganas, Sweden
bhe

Hi Bob.

Has the material got to be carbon steel or would a cast iron powder do?

Also have you a size range in mind?

I ight be able to help if the material used can be cast iron.

Regards.

Pete

Hi Pete (pete_booth)

to the Surface Engineering Forum and thanks for contributing.

colin kc Wrote:Hi everybody,

I, myself am looking for a similar thing (med to high carbon, plain (or low alloy) steel in powder form) for a very similar reason (though strictly speaking this is not crucible steel, it's instead a method for making what we call damascus steel (welded in a canister rather than melted in a crucible))

Bob, if you would like to send me an email, I can point you in the direction of some overseas suppliers, or possibly join me (& probably a few others from the forum I normally frequent) in a "group buy" to save some pennies (it's almost always cheaper to buy in larger quantities)


Sorry to interrupt, back to you guys


Thanks


Colin

Bob Wrote:Hi Gordon,

I'm looking for a medium carbon steel (say 0.6 - 0.9 %carbon) in powder form. I've tried shot blasting grit but it's a wee bit too course. The application is nothing to do with metal spraying, I'm trying to make my own powder crucible steel!

Try to talk with Sandvik, Sweden, they are the specialistds in Carbon steel powders.
bhe

Hi.

What size range is the material required as I might have a UK source for carbon steel powder.

Pete

bhellman Wrote:

colin kc Wrote:Hi everybody,

I, myself am looking for a similar thing (med to high carbon, plain (or low alloy) steel in powder form) for a very similar reason (though strictly speaking this is not crucible steel, it's instead a method for making what we call damascus steel (welded in a canister rather than melted in a crucible))

Bob, if you would like to send me an email, I can point you in the direction of some overseas suppliers, or possibly join me (& probably a few others from the forum I normally frequent) in a "group buy" to save some pennies (it's almost always cheaper to buy in larger quantities)


Sorry to interrupt, back to you guys


Thanks


Colin

Bob Wrote:Hi Gordon,

I'm looking for a medium carbon steel (say 0.6 - 0.9 %carbon) in powder form. I've tried shot blasting grit but it's a wee bit too course. The application is nothing to do with metal spraying, I'm trying to make my own powder crucible steel!

Try to talk with Sandvik, Sweden, they are the specialistds in Carbon steel powders.
bhe

Hi. What is the size range of the material you are looking for?

Regards.

Pete

bhellman Wrote:

colin kc Wrote:Hi everybody,

I, myself am looking for a similar thing (med to high carbon, plain (or low alloy) steel in powder form) for a very similar reason (though strictly speaking this is not crucible steel, it's instead a method for making what we call damascus steel (welded in a canister rather than melted in a crucible))

Bob, if you would like to send me an email, I can point you in the direction of some overseas suppliers, or possibly join me (& probably a few others from the forum I normally frequent) in a "group buy" to save some pennies (it's almost always cheaper to buy in larger quantities)


Sorry to interrupt, back to you guys


Thanks


Colin

Bob Wrote:Hi Gordon,

I'm looking for a medium carbon steel (say 0.6 - 0.9 %carbon) in powder form. I've tried shot blasting grit but it's a wee bit too course. The application is nothing to do with metal spraying, I'm trying to make my own powder crucible steel!

Try to talk with Sandvik, Sweden, they are the specialistds in Carbon steel powders.
bhe