One of my boys works for a small contractor who occasionally does clean outs of homes.
Sometimes he brings things to me he runs across.
During the last clean out job he found what is marked as Tantung 'G'. It's a rectangle piece about 1" wide, 1/2" thick, and 4" long.
A quick Google search says it's used for tooling in metal and wood working.
I have no idea how hard this material is to work with or what to do with it. Thought I'd start a thread for those knowledgeable to teach me and anyone else who doesn't know about it.
Don't know anything about it, have not even heard of it before myself. But I certainly am not the know all be all of metals and there are people here that know far more than I!!
I will be watching this thread with curiosity so don't spare us any of the details as you learn more. :popcorn:
Found on the web:
TANTUNG G is a cast nonferrous alloy containing tantalum or columbium carbide and having wear and corrosion resistance. It is used primarily for cutting tools. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, and tensile properties. It also includes information on forming, heat treating, machining, and joining. Filing Code: Co-28. Producer or source: Vascoloy, Ramet Division.
Data sheet and more details are available here: https://dl.asminternational.org/alloy-digest/article-abstract/10/7/Co-28/895/TANTUNG-GWear-and-Corrosion-Resistant-Alloy?redirectedFrom=fulltext (https://dl.asminternational.org/alloy-digest/article-abstract/10/7/Co-28/895/TANTUNG-GWear-and-Corrosion-Resistant-Alloy?redirectedFrom=fulltext)
Be aware that this website is the Alloy Digest Digital Library and its contents are not available to the public. This link will take you to a page with access options: https://dl.asminternational.org/alloy-digest/pages/Accessoptions (https://dl.asminternational.org/alloy-digest/pages/Accessoptions)
Looks to be rather expensive!
I found this description on a blades forum:
"Tantung is a cast alloy cutting tool material composed principally of chromium, tungsten, columbium, and carbon in a cobalt matrix. These elements combined in the proper proportions and cast in chill molds give Tantung its most important characteristic -- the ability to retain its cutting hardness at temperatures of up to 1500°F. It is neither high speed steel nor carbide. It is unique.
Tantung has a high transverse rupture strength, low coefficient of friction and excellent resistance to corrosion. It is tough, readily absorbs shock and impact, and is non-magnetic...it likes to work.
As a cutting tool, it is ideal for all turning, facing, boring, milling , and cut-off applications on nearly every type of metal as well as non-metallics. Tantung performs best at speeds of 100-250 SFPM and can be used to excellent advantage on machines where speed, power, and rigidity are limited. In addition, it will not anneal or lose its cutting edge as will H.S.S. when subjected to high-red heats generated during the cutting cycle.
Tantung G is recommended for general purpose machining of both ferrous and non-ferrous metal and general woodworking operations. For catalog items, Tantung G Hardness is 60 to 63 Rockwell C and Transverse Rupture Strength is 300,000 psi minimum."
If true this stuff sounds like it would be fantastic for tooling. I found a few listings on eBay with prices that weren't too bad, but found other sites that were extremely high.
I'll have to see if I can find out how to cut and shape this stuff into some cutter bits for the lathe.
I also found this:
https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fconradhoffman.com%2Fstellite.htm&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4 (https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fconradhoffman.com%2Fstellite.htm&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4)
Yeah, That's another grade of tool steel. Have fun grinding on it.
This thread was a wealth of information. Thanks for sharing the documents. Who knew there was an intended "top side" on a blank tool? Not me until just now.