Are they made of cast iron or cast steel???

 

I thought I read somewhere that they were cast steel. I'm pretty sure cast iron would be too brittle for that application. Regardless, I have found it very easy to weld them to steel for modification purposes. I use a MIG welder and steel wire with good weld penetration and strength.

J.B. Hebert

 

I figured as much for the same reason. According to a nuclear welding instructor, cast steel requires pre-heating to 200-250 degrees and keeping it there during welding. It should then be allowed to cool very slowly (covered or buried in lime) to prevent stress cracking.
Thanks for the input...

 

*grin*

If I were welding a reactor, I would probably do that. I haven't had any trouble welding the arms at room temperature, though. It would be easy enough to heat with a torch prior to welding, though.

J.B.

 

I think they are actually forged steel. I say this because of the thick "flashing" remains on the top and bottom of the arm. Most of this flashing has been ground down at the factory, but it is still evident. If it were a casting, the flashing would be much thiner. Since it is an easy enough part to make with the forging process, and the strength required, forging would be the only way to go. Since forging produces similar grain structure to plate steel, welding should be no problem assuming the alloy is compatible.

 

hi i work at a heat treating facility and i had the metal lab test them and they are forged. I to wanted to modify mine and i just welded them with regular steel and there fine. hope this helps Brandon

 

Did they happen to say what alloy they were (1035, 4140, ect.)? I don't plan on modifying; just curious as to what they used back then on such critical parts.