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MALLEABLE STAINLESS STEEL

I am looking for a stainless steel that can be worked by hand.... thickness of a foil product.... any help?

Michael Falk
microturbines - Stuart, Florida, USA
2005

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Worked by hand is subject to a lot of interpretations. One is get a bigger hammer.
Typical would be a 410 or similar SS that has been annealed and then hardened after final forming.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2005

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2005

I suggest bright annealed 304 SS at or slightly thicker than the desired final thickness. 304 SS foil is available in thicknesses down to 0.006 mm (0.0000236 inch).

Consider 316L & 317L for better corrosion resistance, or 309 for high temperature.

SS alloys available in foil, ranked by malleability (from elongation data for annealed sheet*):
301 [60% elongation] > 205 > 304, 304L, 317L > 302, 305, 316, 316L [50%] > 309, 310, 317, 321, 347 > 201, 202 [40%] > 430 [25%] > 442 [20%].
*Ductility is somewhat lower for foil than sheet.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.