Recommendation? ATI-425 (Grade 38) Titanium

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Ten_Mile_Knives

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Feb 9, 2018
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I just bought some 1/4 thick ATI-425 (Grade 38) Titanium for no other reason except that the price was right. I got it from "American Metal XChange" and they labeled it as "Strike Plate" Does anyone have any experience with this alloy as far as machining and its possible strengths/weaknesses for use in folding knife scales..or maybe even blades? finally, why was it so much cheaper than 6Al-4V?
 
Mecha Mecha works with it quite a bit, I imagine he'll be along shortly:)
 
Ten_Mile_Knives said:
I just bought some 1/4 thick ATI-425 (Grade 38) Titanium for no other reason except that the price was right. I got it from "American Metal XChange" and they labeled it as "Strike Plate" Does anyone have any experience with this alloy as far as machining and its possible strengths/weaknesses for use in folding knife scales..or maybe even blades? finally, why was it so much cheaper than 6Al-4V?
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It was formulated for use as armor. It can get a nice crisp surface with a tough interior, almost like it's layered. It's somewhat dirty as an alloy because it's not for aerospace parts, human implants, etc. I don't machine it but would expect it to machine more easily than 6al4v because it's less gummy and not as prone to galling. Should be fine as scales and knife parts. It makes a pretty good blade due to high iron content. From what I understand, it's cheap at the moment because ATI had a big order for it that was either changed or backed out of, so there happens to be a pile of it that's getting liquidated, but don't quote me on that. :]
 
Those who work with Ti, is it possible to rough in the bevels with files and finish with sandpaper or does it just gum everything up?
 
I heard this grade can be HT to push up the hardness slighty. The question is how to properly HT it?
 
I am getting on the Ti hype boat and grabbed a bar of 0.187" ATI-425 and some thin 6Al-4V. For anyone interested, they are offering worldwide free shipping. Hopefully not everything will finish as a spacer material. :)

A friend of mine is after a diving knife for a long time now...
 
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