1144 Stress-proof equivalent in Europe?

DiegoVV · Nov 26, 2024

Hi fellow members,

For the crankshaft of my next project (An Offy 270), the plans asks for 1144 to make the crankshaft. I understand that this steel combines great machineability with low internal stress that will help in keeping it straight when removing large amounts of material.

The problem is that I don´t seem to find the equivalence of 1144 in the European standards. Does any colleague from the old side of the world have any suggestion?

Thank you all!

Bessemer20 · Nov 26, 2024

The European equivalent of 1144 stress proof steel is typically considered to be EN 10088: 44SMn28 under the European standard, which is a steel grade with similar properties to 1144 steel, particularly its high strength and good ductility.

TonyM · Nov 26, 2024

EN 10088 is stainless steels standards. https://bssa.org.uk/bssa_articles/c...BS EN 10088-3 is,duplex), grades are included.

Bessemer20 · Nov 26, 2024

That was what come up in a quick Google search.

TonyM · Nov 26, 2024

The nearest chemical composition is probably EN16C That probably makes it easy to machine but "stressproof" relies more on the production method than composition.

djc · Nov 27, 2024

Bessemer20 said:
That was what come up in a quick Google search.

What comes up in a slower, more thorough Google search?

If the doctor told you you were to die tomorrow, you would probably seek a second opinion before going public with the news.

This is quite comprehensive (but does not contain 1144):

https://www.michael-smith-engineers...o/MATERIAL-GRADE-COMPARISON-TABLE-for-Web.pdf

This has 1140 and 1146 on it, also downloadable as a pdf:

https://www.hastingsmachine.com/steel-grade-equivalency-table-3/

Bessemer20 · Nov 27, 2024

djc said:
What comes up in a slower, more thorough Google search?

If the doctor told you you were to die tomorrow, you would probably seek a second opinion before going public with the news.

This is quite comprehensive (but does not contain 1144):

https://www.michael-smith-engineers...o/MATERIAL-GRADE-COMPARISON-TABLE-for-Web.pdf

This has 1140 and 1146 on it, also downloadable as a pdf:

https://www.hastingsmachine.com/steel-grade-equivalency-table-3/

And here comes the real reason I try not to help anyone on a public forum...

Nerd1000 · Nov 27, 2024

Stress-proof seems to be a US special, I certainly wasn't able to get anything close in Australia.

You might consider alternative grades. The main requirements are sufficient hardness to run against the bearings and sufficient strength to avoid bending the crank. Below are 3 options which all meet the hardness required:

1045 or C45 will provide similar mechanical properties to 1144 but somewhat more difficult machining.

4140 or 42CrMo4 will be stronger and more challenging to machine.

Ductile iron (EN-GJS-450-10) will be easier to machine with minimal distortion in my experience. However its strength is only comparable to mild steel. This may well be sufficient, often in model engine parts 1144 is chosen more for its hardness and machinability than its tensile strength.

ChazzC · Nov 27, 2024

DiegoVV said:
Hi fellow members,

For the crankshaft of my next project (An Offy 270), the plans asks for 1144 to make the crankshaft. I understand that this steel combines great machineability with low internal stress that will help in keeping it straight when removing large amounts of material.

The problem is that I don´t seem to find the equivalence of 1144 in the European standards. Does any colleague from the old side of the world have any suggestion?

Thank you all!

Since it doesn’t appear that there is an equivalent, why not buy some 1144 and have it shipped?

djc · Nov 28, 2024

Bessemer20 said:
And here comes the real reason I try not to help anyone on a public forum...

It is well-known that the internet is a fickle mistress. Even for your own use, it is not wise to trust the first answer you get. If that answer is going to be used to assist someone else, doing your very best to ensure it is correct before posting it would seem to be even more important.

michael-au · Nov 28, 2024

ChazzC said:
Since it doesn’t appear that there is an equivalent, why not buy some 1144 and have it shipped?

Shipping from the US is super expensive
I had some shipped back in 2015 1' x 36" the 1144 was $22 us and postage was $29 us
also in 2017. 2" x 24" 1144 cost of steel $56us postage $58us
I think there would be a big increase it the price of the steel and the postage since then not to mention the exchange rate

That was from Amazon US it was the best I could find at the time, I don't think there any sellers on there now that ship to Australia

Jasonb · Nov 28, 2024

The main reason stressproof is specified for model crank shafts is not it's strength or hardness. It is due to it's specific method of manufacture that leaves little or no stress in the material. This means when you take unbalanced cuts out of the side of it as you do when making a crank it won't end up like a bananna.

It is a trade name not a specification.

You can do your best to avoid the part moving by using hot rolled or stress relieving bright bar. Then rough out and leave it on the bench for a few weeks before final machining. EN8 (080M40)or EN8M (212M36) in the hot rolled form would be a reasonable choice and is what is specified on a lot of UK designs for model engine crankshafts

Charles Lamont · Nov 28, 2024

djc said:
It is well-known that the internet is a fickle mistress. Even for your own use, it is not wise to trust the first answer you get. If that answer is going to be used to assist someone else, doing your very best to ensure it is correct before posting it would seem to be even more important.

Exactly. Anybody with a qestion will almost certainly already have done 'a quick Google search'.

Richard Hed · Nov 28, 2024

Jasonb said:
The main reason stressproof is specified for model crank shafts is not it's strength or hardness. It is due to it's specific method of manufacture that leaves little or no stress in the material. This means when you take unbalanced cuts out of the side of it as you do when making a crank it won't end up like a bananna.

It is a trade name not a specification.

You can do your best to avoid the part moving by using hot rolled or stress relieving bright bar. Then rough out and leave it on the bench for a few weeks before final machining. EN8 (080M40)or EN8M (212M36) in the hot rolled form would be a reasonable choice and is what is specified on a lot of UK designs for model engine crankshafts

For steel that will bend, wouldn't it be possible to maybe 90% machiner a piece, leaving maybe 20-30 thou, then heat it to maybe 4-500 deg (fahrenheit), let it cool, then finish the cuts? I would thimpfk something like this could be done.

Richard Hed · Nov 28, 2024

Charles Lamont said:
Exactly. Anybody with a qestion will almost certainly already have done 'a quick Google search'.

I use DukDukGo, so I "duk it", some people say "Oh damn, duk it all!" or go duk yuourself, ets. etc.

Jasonb · Nov 28, 2024

That is what I said

"stress relieving bright bar. Then rough out and leave it on the bench for a few weeks before final machining"

Stress relieving is the heating and slow cooling.

ChazzC · Nov 28, 2024

michael-au said:
Shipping from the US is super expensive
I had some shipped back in 2015 1' x 36" the 1144 was $22 us and postage was $29 us
also in 2017. 2" x 24" 1144 cost of steel $56us postage $58us
I think there would be a big increase it the price of the steel and the postage since then not to mention the exchange rate

That was from Amazon US it was the best I could find at the time, I don't think there any sellers on there now that ship to Australia

Try reaching out to McMaster-Carr and OnlineMetals to see if they will ship to you; you may need to set up "Michael's Shop" as a business name with them.

ChazzC · Nov 28, 2024

Jasonb said:
That is what I said

Stress relieving is the heating and slow cooling.

https://www.niagaralasalle.com/steel-products/stressproof

Basil · Nov 29, 2024

I have tried to have McMaster carr ship to the UK before. Unless something has changed the answer was a definite no!
If you even mention that you will have it sent to a US company and they will forward it to you in the UK they will refuse the shipment. I speak from experience.
Apparently they had an issue many years ago concerning shipments to the UK or European countries that cost the company a lot money.
A real shame. When I lived in the US they were the absolute go to guys for just about everything.
Awesome company!

TonyM · Nov 29, 2024

You would get minimal stress relief at 4-500F. To get proper stress relief you would need to soak medium carbon steel at 900 - 1000 F (500-600 C) for two or three hours depending on thickness. Slow cooling as well.

Richard Hed said:
For steel that will bend, wouldn't it be possible to maybe 90% machiner a piece, leaving maybe 20-30 thou, then heat it to maybe 4-500 deg (fahrenheit), let it cool, then finish the cuts? I would thimpfk something like this could be done.

1144 Stress-proof equivalent in Europe?

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