Metric Silver Steel (BS1407)
At Rennie Tool, we supply a wide range of BS1407 steel to suit your requirements. Our collection is highly versatile because we stock various imperial and metric sizes. This metric silver steel can be used for a variety of applications, meaning our collection can assist you with any project you have- no matter how demanding it is. This steel can be strengthened for tougher applications to create a durable and wear-resistant material. You can achieve this through hardening the silver steel to improve its performance under immense pressure.
Our BS1407 silver steel is supplied annealed, meaning that it is robust and reliable. Going through the process of being hardened and tempered only increases the strength of the steel, allowing you to tackle any hard-wearing application with ease. When hardening, you should consider the heat treatment temperatures, including the rate of heating, cooling and soaking times will vary. This is due to the shape and size of each silver steel component. You should also think carefully about the type of furnace to use. It is ideal to consult your heat treatment provider for full guidance on the heat treatment of our BS1407 steel.
Read MoreExplore our extensive range to find the perfect silver steel for your project, no matter the difficulty.
What is Metric Silver Steel?
Metric silver steel is a popular tool steel that is supplied as a centreless ground round bar. It has tolerances that are very close to a drill bit. It is named after the highly polished appearance of the rods, even though there is no silver in the alloy.
This type of steel is typically used to make screwdrivers, punches and engravers. However, it is versatile, so it can be used for a wide range of different projects.
What Does BS1407 Mean?
BS1407 is the British Standard to which this steel is made. Our BS1407 silver steel is made to the standard specifications and has the properties required to meet the grade. This includes what the steel is made from, the size range we offer, the tolerance/surface finish, the packaging, and the heat treatment process.
BS1407 Silver Steel Properties
The British Standard for silver steel- BS1407- outlines various specifications that create the BS1407 silver steel properties. This begins with what it is made up of. The British Standard states it should include 0.95-1.25% carbon content, 0.35-0.45% manganese, up to 0.4% silicon and small amounts of phosphorus and sulphur. At Rennie Tool, our silver steel meets this standard. It typically includes 1.0% carbon, 0.4% chromium, 0.35% manganese and 0.3% silicon.
It also stipulates the size range that should be available, which Rennie Tool supplies. The diameter should be around 1/16”-2” in Imperial or 2-50mm in Metric. Boxes that the steel is supplied in must be 1 metre, 2 metres, or 3 metres in length.
BS1407 steel can be manipulated and hardened to suit your application and withstand even the toughest tasks. The steel can be heated slowly to 760-800°C. The higher temperature in this range can be used to achieve a lower carbon content, while the lower temperature in this range can create a higher carbon content. It can also be quenched to a hardness of 65 to 68Rc.
On top of this, the steel can be tempered immediately after hardening. It is best to do this before the steel reaches room temperature. Metric silver steel needs a minimum of one hour to temper when temperatures between 180-350°C are used.
Common Uses of Metric Silver Steel
Metric silver steel has many applications because it is very adaptable. It can be used for:
- Punches: Used to make holes in sheet metal, plastic or other materials.
- Dies: Used with punches to cut and shape materials.
- Reamers: Finishes drilled holes to the exact dimensions needed.
- Screwdrivers: As silver steel can be ground to tight tolerances, it can be used for precision drivers.
- Chisels: Silver steel can give a tough, sharp edge for chisels to cut and shape hard materials.
- Dowel Pins: These precisely align or hold machine parts together.
- Gauge Pins: Used to check hole sizes and tolerances.
- Shafts: These transmit torque or motion between components.
- Spindles: Used to rotate at high speeds with minimal runout.
- Prototyping: Silver steel is easy to machine and then hardened for functional prototypes.
- Knives: Can create blades that need to keep their sharpness under wear.
- Clock and Watch Components: Silver steel can be used for balance shafts, pivots and gear arbours.
Buy Steel Online with Rennie Tool Company
If you need silver steel, then Rennie Tool Company have got you covered. Buy steel beams from our silver steel collection to suit your project requirements. Our stock has various lengths to accommodate multiple projects, no matter how tough the process is. You can buy steel that works for you by simply browsing our products below and adding them to the cart.
For any questions on our metric silver steel or need assistance, please contact us at esales@rennietool.co.uk for further guidance and advice.
