Mystery material

Hi all,

I am shortly to embark on a small project, to remake some components from the 1940s, as part of a larger collaboration.

On the drawing for one of the parts, the specified material is 'Silkase' and the treatment is 'case hardened'.

I have not been able to find any reference to Silkase as a case hardenable material - I assume it to be some form of low carbon steel..?

Does anyone recognise the name? (Google doesn't seem to!!) Is there a modern equivalent?

Many thanks for any information.

Cheers

Paul

The name may (or may not) give a clue. 'Sil...' could refer to Silicon, or maybe to the name of the manufacturer, or something else entirely.

Do you know the original manufacturer? What is the application? Do you have any original parts available?

I went down the silicon steel rabbit hole but ended up with this from Graces Guide:

Looks like Silkase is a free machining case hardenable steel. EN1A would probably be OK but I would avoid leaded steel for case hardening. EN3B won't have such a nice surface finish but may be more reliable, not having the additions for free maching. You can work on the surface finish for a one off.

HTH,

Rod

Couldn't find a sausage in 200GB of text searching

Had more luck with Flather

Looks like they were sheffield alchemists connected with the bike trade

Edited By Ady1 on 01/03/2021 09:45:28

Edited By Ady1 on 01/03/2021 09:47:47

Marvellous!! Thank you so much.

I also went down the Silicon Steel rabbit hole, with similar success!

As to the original part; No, I don't have it, I only have the plan.

Well-found, Rod !!

MichaelG.

Hi EN 32B may be a nearer match. It has same properties.

David

At least one other steel producer in Sheffield had their own trade names for standard 'EN' steels.

I have a (1950's) handbook from another steel supplier (not Sheffield) - their '...case' product is EN32.