6150 STEEL

[jer2349]

   A friend of mine is turning a tube from 6150 solid steel. Will this work for a barrel? I thought 1018 was the product to use. Is the difference that great,,if any?  Thanks

[Double D]

Difficult welding and my be to hard-brittle... I am pretty sure it's in the class of spring steel. 

We have folks here who can tell you for sure.

[seacoastartillery]

     Jer2349,  Look the properties of this steel up on MatWeb, http://www.matweb.com/ an excellent materials engineering site.  Looks like pretty impressive stuff.  At a hardness of only 36 on the Rockwell 'C' Scale, this steel displays terrific strength at 145,000 PSI Tensile Yield and an elongation of a bit over 14% before separation.  This is fantasic for an alloy steel.  After all, 1018 has only 15% elongation.  If you have ever worked in an aircraft factory, the sound of the 'yield point' on a Pull Test of a steel round is one of those sounds you will never forget.  That sound says, "LOOK OUT!!".
     As to weldability, find a good welding properties site; I don't have time right now.  Double D is right, this steel is used for leaf, torsion and coil springs mostly.

Tracy

[Cat Whisperer]

  A friend of mine is turning a tube from 6150 solid steel. Will this work for a barrel? I thought 1018 was the product to use. Is the difference that great,,if any?  Thanks

Jer2349   --  WELCOME to the board!

Agree with M&T - good steel.  Difference will be great in the price.  As DD has mentioned, check out what special requirements are needed for welding.  Alloy steels sometimes have very specific requirements.

1018 is common, it is relatively cheap, and it WORKS.  Going to other steels, one looks again at what is needed (as above) and evaluates - and counts the cost.

[Double D]

I found this on welding and machining.

http://www.suppliersonline.com/propertypages/6150.asp

Machinability
Machinability is rated at 59% of 12L14 carbon steel.


Welding
This alloy, while difficult to weld, has been successfully joined with all of the common methods. Part preheating and post weld stress relieving are essential components of a successful procedure.

[GGaskill]

Looks like the material is good stuff but the welding characteristics are more factory than garage oriented.  I guess is depends how big a gun you are making whether the pre-heat/post-weld stress relief are problems.

Here is an interesting characteristics page.

[dominick]

It would be best if you can avoid welding this material in constructing the barrel.

[jer2349]

I appreciate all the input. The man knows his stuff, he just don't devulge much. During cocktails and our meeting of the minds come Friday. Solving all need be addressed world problems.      I may have the abilility to perk his ears!!!  Thanks all   Respectfully    jer

[Cat Whisperer]

If he's a certified welder, then he likely knows how to do it.

The issues with welding are two fold.

First, the creation of porrous areas in the weld - susceptable to the corrosive elements of combustion.
Second, the hardening and creation of stresses -- each with it's own issues.