I have some 316 SS that was sold in a long roll. Cutting (tough)
off a length - the metal is full of spring.

Martin

On 8/18/2011 10:51 AM, toolbreaker wrote:
On Aug 17, 10:02 pm, wrote:
I am looking at a use for some spring-temper 304 stainless wire, .009"
dia. It comes round, but it would be better suited for this use if it
was square-section. Can I run it (cold) through a couple pairs of
rollers to form it into a square, without altering the other properties?

Alternately does anyone sell smaller quantities of such wire (~1-lb
spools). I see there is flattened wire (about a 2:1 height/width ratio)
but it appears to be once-rolled with the ends rounded from forming, and
I want a (roughly) square cross-section with fairly sharp edges.


Spring temper and 304 stainless steel is an oxymoron. One can't
harden 300 series SS with a heat treat. It will work harden but that
will change it’s magnetic properties..

If one needs corrosion resistance and non magnetic properties I
suggest looking at NiTinol. Buy a sheet then water jet cut strips.