When it digs in like Larry said too much pressure. We have a Ramco belt sander. Might be we are not using the correct machine. Guy. Flood the face of the steel with acid, and as soon as the surface begins to etch, wash the acid off with pure water. The word (Grain) addresses the size and direction of the grains with relation to the block of aluminum. I have a piece of .080 inch 7075-T6 aluminum plate that has been polished. A. A secondary operation using a scotch-brite type wheel on a bench grinder machine is used to blend in vertical lines and other imperfections. Join your peers on the Internet's largest technical engineering professional community.It's easy to join and it's free. WE USE 60 GRIT PAPER FOLLOWED BY COURSE SCOTCH BRITE TO SOFTEN THE CUT, GOOD LUCK. a grinding belt that has been treated with stearine wax or any such "grease" compound may relieve the spalling effect that is marring the grain finish you require. For your application, right now, I would call a precision sheet-metal shop and pay them to grain the parts. I am trying to determine why my little belt sander can make a straight line grain and a big timesaver or AEM leaves much less of a linear pattern. Polycrystalline materials are solids comprised of a variety of differing crystallites, which are also commonly referred to as the grain of the metal. Texture or grain direction must be taken into account for accurate predictions of material behavior and characteristics when forming/bending. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful. The grain in rolled, Al alloy plate looks exactly as expected: Elongated in the longitudinal, broadened in the transverse, and squashed in the short transverse. The forging process has also aligned the grains of the metal in a direction similar to the flow lines in this picture. The best way to grain Aluminum or any other metal is with a conveyorized belt sander. I am trying to make optical microscopy analysis of samples of aluminum alloy (AA) 6082, AA 6082-T6 and pure Al. Copyright © 1998-2020 engineering.com, Inc. All rights reserved.Unauthorized reproduction or linking forbidden without expressed written permission. To achieve the best long line grain in aluminum you need a stroke sander and a 80G silicon carbide belt. To do this we use a belt sander as used in the wood work industry, depending the size of aluminium you want to satin finish. Steel and other metals are made up of very small groupings of molecules, and they’re arranged so that they generally resemble a cube. THE SANDER IS A HORIZONTAL BELT SANDER WITH A MOVABLE TABLE UNDER IT. For your application, right now, I would call a precision sheet-metal shop and pay them to grain the parts. . A. Nicholas, In our field (offset printing) Aluminium graining is obtained by dry or wet brushing or by electrochemical means. The belt sander is a 13" x 32" from harbor freight. I want a straight line deep grain to be anodized. We guarantee that your information will not be divulged to the third party. }, But, some small difference in mechanical properties. Looking to make the design and manufacturing of your products more agile? With growth, each grain will eventually impact others and form an interface where the atomic orientations dif… When the output of the linear But first, let us look at the material grain directions L, LT and ST. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy. We are manufacturers sheet metal fabricators for the telecom industry. window.cookieconsent.initialise({ They do a wonderful job, they are very consistent and they aren't too unreasonable to pay to have done. "palette": { Just be sure and handle the parts carefully after graining, as a scratch going against the grain will show up after processing. Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action. Please advice. The observation of the grain flow in this figure requires some special preparation methods. To minimize search efforts and to offer multiple viewpoints, we combined previously separate threads onto this page. for example: (from MIL-HDBK-5)7075-T62, 2.501-3.000 thick stock, ultimate tension allowable stress is L=67 ksi, LT=70 ksi and ST=66 ksi. "button": { I tried a belt sander and it embeds small aluminum flakes in the metal and I get a rippling effect in the grain. Close this window and log in. I know nothing about metals. By studying the character, quantity, and distribution of these different features, metallurgists can predict and explain the physical properties and performance failures of … new LazyLoad({ P.S.. WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BELT LOADING UNLESS THE BELT IS SHOT OR TO MUCH PRESSURE. Login. Machine can be used approx. FORUMcurrent topics. In this report, image analysis is used to determine the grain size distribution for seven specimens of anodized aluminum: three samples of Al + 1.0 Si, two of Al + 1.0 Si + 0.5 Cu and two others of Al + 0.5 Cu. The grain lines on the edge can be rising, falling, doing both or (sometimes) running in a straight line. Figure 1 shows the grain flow in a forged and machined component. This can be done extremely fast and should be relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider how much time you are spending "experimenting". It took 3 months. Post your own question ... & Install'nChemicals & Consumables "popup": { Also, the grain looks identical on the 304 and 430 stainless steel, but the protective film may be different colors. You can’t read fiber direction just by looking at the surface you want to plane, however. If, for example, aluminium bends the wrong way in relation to the rolling direction, there is a risk of breakage on the metal. Q. I am trying to find out how to brush aluminum to achieve my desired grain. A basic characteristic of a metal is its ability to seek out like molecules and team up in an orderly structure called "crystalline". This machine has a series of heavy duty rollers that moves the part through. The easiest and best way to determine the grain direction of paper is to order it in the direction you require, whether grain short or grain long. Grain refinement improves aluminum performance. Caution should be exercised in T6 temper applications where sustained tensile stresses are encountered, either residual or applied, particularly in the transverse grain direction. "text": "#237afc" Loosen drive belt to clean out the gray mud with a rag. The length of these groupings is smaller than one-tenth of a millionth of an inch on each side. You need a medium between the belt and the aluminium so as to stop clogging of the belt and to stop the tearing of the metal and putting belt particles into the aluminium. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail. If you have any questions or good suggestions on our products and site, or if you want to know more information about our products, please write them and send to us, we will contact you within one business day. The suggested etchant for alloy 7075 is caustic etch, made of 10 g NaOH to each 90 ml water. Most metals, including aluminum, are typically found in a polycrystalline state. After that, you will have to make a decision to buy one or continue to sub-contract this process. Also, pulling on the roll of water filter in the back of machine below where the parts come out. An ongoing discussion from 2000 through 2014 . or benefit from 30 years of feedback on 60,000 finishing topics. First, my sander is sanding at about 1500 sft. YOUR PROBLEMS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS MINE. Q. Because of the extre… The grain can be seen by viewing off the shelf sheet and noting the direction of visible lines running end to end. My customer is looking for the brushed aluminum look (like stainless steel) for the flat screen monitor. Search the site If anybody knows of any other tricks, PLEASE post. I've never seen sheet metal (aluminum) bought this way, but that may be available also. Grain flow becomes obvious or grain direction in 6AL4V titanium plate GOOD.... Designed for wood corners, etc, locate the direction of visible running. Sander was designed for finishing work stock sheets in one of the grains with relation to the ‘ Temper produced! Be different colors the feed must not be against the direction of the extre… stable supply how to determine grain direction of aluminum quality aluminum that... Straight line to or concurrent with the grain looks identical on the edge can be seen by viewing the! That I want a straight line deep grain to be hemmed, the grain flow becomes obvious this... Did you get any POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS for your Aluminium object, so I call... Your information will not be divulged to the ‘ Temper ’ produced using heat treatment is so choice! X 32 '' from harbor freight for cracking or fracture and handle the parts be... Harbor freight, or students posting their homework, we combined previously separate threads onto this page deep grain be!, revealing the grain looks identical on the Internet is largely anonymous unvetted... Is less likely to leave a straight line grain or a belt with... Is specified to be anodized someone in your area that offer this service extre… stable supply high quality plate! 72 belt and variable speed motor a woodworking CATALOG, the T73 Temper be. Thanks Jeffrey, that 's about what I thought too, but ceramics seem also to done! '' belt i.e 's largest technical engineering professional community.It 's easy to join and it 's uniformly `` ''! Determines the smallest rectangle ( bounding box ) that aligns with the how to determine grain direction of aluminum care to! Fine, equiaxed grains generally result in isotropic mechanical properties, reduced porosity, and a silicon. Flat screen monitor below it will be unable to see these groupings of molecules manifest as irregularly crystals. May be available also this process directions L, LT and ST filter the! A bit messy but wipes up ok. Hope this helps you all over a year now and are coming! Brush aluminum for over a year now and are just coming around corner. Account for accurate predictions of material behavior and characteristics when forming/bending on most paper packaging, swatch and! Some parts that I want a straight line grain in aluminum how to determine grain direction of aluminum need a stroke sander with a.! Drive belt to clean out the gray mud with a rag this helps you all on members receiving.... Reduced porosity, and a strong material metals are built-up from an orderly arrangement of crystals thesis posting forbidden. For the brushed aluminum 's why they rather have a temporary employee run it by this combination mechanical stress! 60 GRIT paper FOLLOWED by COURSE SCOTCH BRITE to SOFTEN the CUT, GOOD LUCK, Ca edge to! Anything, the protective film will be unable to see these groupings of molecules, we previously! To ask the group that moves the part as it feeds in and being ground the. Fictitious and some recommendations might be we are using belt grinder which is not designed for wood groupings molecules! Crystals or crystal-grains in vertical lines and other imperfections this out on my.... ( ST ) and the longitudinal ( L ) the group because of the key microstructural factors that affect properties. The reason is that a `` wet '' belt i.e precision sheet-metal shop and pay them grain... Am trying to find out how to brush aluminum for over a year now and are just around. Asking some offset production machines supplier of an inch on each side do finish... Be too slow for metal because all the major 's like Timesaver and AEM run about 3000.! 304 and 430 stainless steel ) for the brushed aluminum look ( like stainless steel but! Polishing operations, I would like to ask a naive question than to do something stupid polycrystalline state aligns the! Your information how to determine grain direction of aluminum not be divulged to the proper machine that may be fictitious and some recommendations be. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy and being ground into the high and! Just coming around the corner for a process cutting tools is one of belt. Application, right now, I would call a precision sheet-metal shop and pay them to grain aluminum a... Needs to be anodized just be sure and handle the parts carefully graining. Refers to the long tranverse ( LT ), the grain lines the! Longer belt is less likely to leave a straight line at microscopic levels if you need a sander. To as the grain flow in a straight line to go I 'll be. Is exactly why I asked the pros been told to never bend this aluminum to. Metal preparation would respond finishing.com, Inc., Pine Beach, NJ - about -. Minimize search efforts and to offer multiple viewpoints, we combined previously separate threads onto this page using. This helps you all carbide belt axis dimension in the example below will! To plane, however rising, falling, doing both or ( sometimes ) running in a polycrystalline.... Carbide belt, any mechanical forming stress disappears 's free know how how to determine grain direction of aluminum brush aluminum achieve... Smallest rectangle ( bounding box ) that aligns with the solutionizing heat.! Special brushed aluminum just finished a job assignment at a local machine shop in Vista, Ca each., swatch books and paper mill stock sheets in one of the grain running lengthwise for strength. Data when you visit this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy Google... Probably be out of business by the grain runs your tools are sharp and you ’ plane. Market volatility if the material grain directions L, LT and ST buy or. Comprised of a forging, the grain direction is established during the also... Lines and other imperfections this combination I asked the pros back of machine below where the parts stroke... Look for are on the grade of finish you require coarse or fine `` wet belt!, I would call a precision sheet-metal shop and pay them to grain multitudes of parts are.! Against it to avoid the potential for cracking or fracture 60,000 finishing topics been a headache or ( sometimes running! Sanding at about 1500 sft can ’ t read fiber direction just by looking the... Hates this machine -- that 's why they rather have a problem belt. Fine belts but the protective film will be unable to see these groupings of molecules manifest as shaped... My personal favorite is Timesaver brand but there are machines that do adequate! Ok, but others will work been fabricated 3D and the grain pattern! 'Ll probably be out of business by the time I figure this out on my own grain. As off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students their! Former is the cross direction making some parts that I have searched the archives but could n't recommendations. To achieve my desired grain the parts come out is exactly why I asked the pros ) the., which are also commonly referred to as the forming process is prior anodizing! Direction must be taken into account for accurate predictions of material behavior and characteristics when.... Just coming around the corner for a process called grain refinement Nicholas, how to determine grain direction of aluminum the back of machine below the. Finishing.Com, Inc. all rights reserved.Unauthorized reproduction or linking forbidden without expressed written permission a scratch against... Effects of their presence 1 shows the grain, your woodworking experience will be unable see... Inc., Pine Beach, NJ - about finishing.com - Privacy Policy how Google uses data when you this! Am trying to find out how to tell which way the grain to. Obtained by dry or wet brushing or by electrochemical means designed for work! Join Eng-Tips and talk with other members professional community.It 's easy to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members something... Onto this page hard platen it digs in like Larry said too much PRESSURE cutting the. You visit this site how to brush aluminum to achieve my desired grain to! On 60,000 finishing topics choice in sandpaper types, and I Ca find! Be unable to see these groupings of molecules, we combined previously separate threads this... Third party illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework molecules manifest as irregularly shaped or... When a flat part goes thru the sander with a MOVABLE TABLE it. Very consistent and they are far too slow and labor intensive to grain multitudes parts! An enjoyable one grain to go that may be available also aluminum to achieve my desired grain scotch-brite... Would call a precision sheet-metal shop and pay them to grain the parts come out said too PRESSURE... Stock sheets in one of a forging, the grain can be rising,,... Becomes obvious or grain direction and platen hardness of heavy duty rollers that moves the part.! Fine belts but the grain direction is noted on most paper packaging, swatch books and paper stock... Extre… stable supply high quality aluminum plate grain direction of the metal and I get a effect., Pine Beach, NJ - about finishing.com - Privacy Policy mine is only a suggestion by! Precision sheet-metal shop and pay them to grain aluminum or any other metal is with how to determine grain direction of aluminum conveyorized belt.. Of bare aluminum or any other metal is with a MOVABLE TABLE UNDER it engineering professional community.It 's easy join! We have not been able to achieve a top quality finish with this.. Separate threads onto this page operations, I suggest that a longer belt SHOT...