Sway Bar, what type steel?

[Alan Drake]

About to have two front C2 sway bars run through the oven in hopes the resulting finished bars will look as they did on assembly day. Assume the result will be a blackish - blue result. If I knew what type steel the bars are made of things will be better. Any one know what type steel these are? ?
Thanks
Alan

[Jeff S.]

Re: Sway Bar, what type steel?

Alan

Anti-sway bars are upset-forgings of hot-rolled carbon steel; likely SAE 1040 or 1045. Perhaps you are attempting to 'color temper' the sway bars? If so, a 'blue' colored oxide forms between 550F (dark blue) and 610F (pale blue), with the brightest full-blue at ~560-570.

Don't expect to see this result if the part is not in a very clean, 'bare' metal condition to start with. I'd expect "... assembly day..." originals would be more of a gray/black color with scale from the hot-rolling mill on the most of surface OD.

[Alan Drake]

Re: Great Info Jeff

We were planning to soak at 1150 for 3 hours, then let cool in oven till 800, then outside till cool. This method was suggested by the machinest and nobody was completely sure of needed to be done. Sounds like we can get away with way less temperature.
Thanks

[Jeff S.]

Re: Great Info Jeff

Alan

That is a very poor plan/method.

[Alan Drake]

Re: And an Idea Please

OK Jeff, Do you have a recommondation - I have an open mind about this subject.

Don't want to make an error.
Thanks

[Jeff S.]

Provided same via email *NM*

[Alan Drake]

Re: Provided same via email

Hi Jeff,
Never got email.
What are the bake times??
Send email to akdselectman@hotmail.com sometimes the Board service never gets to me
Thanks