Looking for a stainless steel alloy that’s easy to machine and magnetically responsive? 430FR stainless steel is engineered for exactly that. This free-machining, ferritic stainless steel is ideal for precision-machined components like solenoid cores, relays, and actuators.

Why Choose 430FR?

• Outstanding Machinability – Cuts cleanly with reduced tool wear

• Magnetic – Maintains soft magnetic properties ideal for electromagnetic applications

• Stable During Machining – Low work hardening and excellent chip control

• Corrosion Resistance – Comparable to 430 stainless, suitable for indoor and mild environments

Common Applications:
• Solenoid valve parts
• Fuel injection components
• Magnetic sensor housings
• Relay and actuator components

Available Forms: Bar, Rod, Ground Centerless, Custom Cut-to-Length

Contact us today for a quote - we have 430FR in stock!

Steel and Aluminum Tariffs 2025

The current administration has issued a new executive order expanding the existing tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. As of now, these go into effect March 12, 2025.

The United States' specialty stainless steel industry has long been supplied by European mills. Our mills currently don't have the capacity or ability to produce the highly processed specialty alloys needed to supply our medical and aerospace industries. This is expected to affect costs within the medical, aerospace, and defense industries.

Key Changes That Affect Specialty Metals:

• Quotas and Exemptions to the existing tariffs are no longer an option.
• Quality, Availability and National Security concerns are no longer considered as valid reasons for exceptions (Proclamation Section 17)
• No new exclusions will be authorized for these tariffs.

How This Might Affect You

• Prices may rise: This has already been seen in the last two weeks, sometimes as much as 30% as mills look to adapt to future market conditions.
• Lead times may be unpredictable: Lead times at American mills capable of producing implant grade stainless steel are already long. They may grow.
• Quotes will be valid for short periods: The material cost you factor into your estimates may not be the cost when you're awarded the job.
• Prices on incoming mill shipments may change drastically at time of shipment.

• What You Can Do

• If you have active customer orders we strongly recommend placing orders now to lock in current prices and avoid future cost increases.
• Consider blanket orders on available stock. That pricing will not change.
• Contact your local and national representatives to push for exemptions for critical materials. Without quotas and exemptions the cost of the tariffs will no longer be spread over large quantities of product.
• Contact our account representatives directly, or through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions you may have.

Me: Can you tell me the properties and uses of 316 LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel

Chat GPT: Yes, I can tell you about the properties and uses of 316 LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel.

Properties:

1. Corrosion resistance: 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel has excellent resistance to corrosion, including both pitting and crevice corrosion.
2. Strength: 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel is a high-strength material, with a tensile strength of around 550 MPa and a yield strength of around 240 MPa.
3. Biocompatibility: This type of stainless steel is biocompatible, meaning it is safe for use in medical implants and devices.
4. Machinability: 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel has good machinability, which makes it easier to work with in manufacturing processes.

Uses:

1. Medical implants: The biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel make it an ideal material for medical implants such as orthopedic implants, dental implants, and cardiovascular devices.
2. Jewelry: Due to its high strength and corrosion resistance, 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel is also used in the manufacturing of jewelry, particularly for body piercing jewelry.
3. Marine equipment: The corrosion resistance of this stainless steel also makes it a popular material for marine equipment, such as propeller shafts, fittings, and valves.
4. Aerospace applications: The high strength and corrosion resistance of 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel make it suitable for use in aerospace applications such as aircraft engine components and structural elements.

Overall, 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel is a versatile material with a range of applications in the medical, jewelry, marine, and aerospace industries, thanks to its excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and biocompatibility.

Me: Can you be more specific about what types of medical implants it's used in?

Chat GPT: Sure, here are some examples of medical implants made with 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel:

1. Orthopedic implants: This includes hip and knee replacements, bone plates, and screws.
2. Dental implants: 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel is used in dental implants, abutments, and dental braces.
3. Cardiovascular devices: This includes stents, pacemaker components, and heart valve replacements.
4. Surgical instruments: Some surgical instruments, such as scalpels, forceps, and retractors, are also made from 316LVM ASTM F138 stainless steel.

In general, the excellent biocompatibility, high strength, and corrosion resistance of this type of stainless steel make it a popular choice for a wide range of medical implants and devices. It is especially useful for implants that will be in contact with bodily fluids, as it resists corrosion and maintains its integrity over time.

Here's the content of a brief conversation I had with ChatGPT about metal alloys used in the Aerospace industry. ChatGPT really put together a nice summary:

Question: What metal alloys are used in the aerospace industry?

ChatGPT: The aerospace industry uses a wide range of metal alloys for various applications due to their unique properties such as high strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight. Here are some of the commonly used metal alloys in the aerospace industry:

1. Aluminum Alloys: Aluminum alloys are lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion. They are commonly used in aircraft structures, such as wings, fuselages, and engine parts.
2. Titanium Alloys: Titanium alloys are strong, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion. They are commonly used in aircraft engines, landing gears, and structural components.
3. Steel Alloys: Steel alloys are strong and durable, making them ideal for use in aircraft engines, landing gears, and other structural components.
4. Nickel Alloys: Nickel alloys are resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. They are commonly used in aircraft engines and gas turbines.
5. Magnesium Alloys: Magnesium alloys are lightweight and have high strength-to-weight ratio. They are used in aircraft components, such as helicopter gearbox housings.
6. Cobalt Alloys: Cobalt alloys are strong and resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. They are commonly used in gas turbine components and aircraft engines.

Overall, the selection of metal alloys used in the aerospace industry depends on the specific requirements of the aircraft and its components, such as strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and operating temperature range.

Question: Can you include specific alloys in your answer?

ChatGPT: Sure, here are some specific alloys used in the aerospace industry:

1. Aluminum Alloys:

• 2024-T3: Used for wing and fuselage structures.
• 7075-T6: Used for aircraft structural components that require high strength-to-weight ratio.

1. Titanium Alloys:

• Ti-6Al-4V: Used for turbine blades, compressor blades, and structural components.
• Ti-5Al-2.5Sn: Used for compressor discs and blades.

1. Steel Alloys:

• AISI 4130: Used for landing gears, engine mounts, and other structural components.
• AISI 4340: Used for aircraft engine components, such as gears and crankshafts.

1. Nickel Alloys:

• Inconel 718: Used for high-temperature applications, such as gas turbine engines.
• Inconel X-750: Used for gas turbine engine components that require high strength and resistance to high temperatures and corrosion.

1. Magnesium Alloys:

• AZ31B: Used for helicopter gearbox housings and aircraft components that require low weight.
• WE43: Used for aircraft structural components that require high strength-to-weight ratio.

1. Cobalt Alloys:

• Haynes 188: Used for gas turbine engine components, such as combustion chambers and afterburner liners.
• Stellite 6B: Used for aircraft engine valves, bearings, and pump components that require wear resistance.

There are many other alloys used in the aerospace industry, but these are some of the most common ones.

Question: What about hardenable stainless steels?

ChatGPT: Hardenable stainless steels are also used in the aerospace industry for their high strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. These steels are capable of being hardened by heat treatment, which increases their strength and wear resistance. Some examples of hardenable stainless steels used in aerospace applications are:

1. 17-4 PH: This is a precipitation-hardening stainless steel that is used in the aerospace industry for its high strength, corrosion resistance, and fatigue resistance. It is commonly used in aircraft landing gear, structural components, and engine parts.
2. 15-5 PH: This is another precipitation-hardening stainless steel that is used in aerospace applications for its high strength and corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in aircraft engine parts, landing gear, and structural components.
3. 13-8 PH: This is a precipitation-hardening stainless steel that is used in aerospace applications for its high strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in aircraft engine parts, landing gear, and structural components.

Overall, hardenable stainless steels are used in the aerospace industry where high strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance are required, and where the weight of the component is not a critical factor. The specific choice of hardenable stainless steel alloy depends on the application and the requirements of the component.

                The aluminum shortage that began amidst the 2020 pandemic continues to plague the US now, and for the forseeable future. Aluminum productionand demand was shifted with the beginning of the pandemic and country wide lockdowns. While the average consumer previously purchased beverages in restaurants and breweries, they were now seeking out solely canned drinks to keep at home. This sudden growth of can demand was something aluminum producers were not prepared for. This led to shortages and overbuying.

                In addition to the pandemic, magnesium restrictions is another contributor to the present aluminum shortage. Most of magnesium is sourced from China, though China’s smelting limits and efforts to decrease emissions restricts the amount they can export. Seeking out alternate magnesium suppliers is often too expensive to consider.

                Unfortunately, although aluminum is often preferred due to its light weight, it requires a high amount of electricity to produce. Fourteen megawatt hours are necessary to produce one ton of aluminum ingot, which is enough to power a home for an entire year. For reference, the US alone manufactures five million tons a year.

                As far as the aluminum shortage ending, experts are hesitant with predictions. However, most agree the earliest expected end would be sometime in 2023. As the nation moves back towards normalcy, aluminum purchasing could subside and have uncertain impacts on the supply chain. In the meantime, additional production plants are being constructed to keep up with the high demand and current shortage.