Heading Hints

A Guide to Cold Forming Specialty Alloys

Heading Hints
A Guide to Cold Forming Specialty Alloys

• Basics
• Materials
• Selection
• Coatings
• Tooling

The information and data presented

herein are typical or average values
and are not a guarantee of maximum
or minimum values. Applications
specifically suggested for material
described herein are made solely for
the purpose of illustration to enable the
reader to make his or her own evalua-
tion and are not intended as warranties,
either express or implied, of fitness for
these or other purposes. There is no
representation that the recipient of this
literature will receive updated editions
as they become available.

MEMBER: MEMBER:

© Copyright 2001, CRS Holdings, Inc.

All rights reserved. 8-01/5M
Printed in U.S.A.
Introduction

Heading Hints is published by Carpenter Technology Corporation

(“Carpenter”), whose Specialty Alloys Operations produces more than
400 stainless steels and specialty alloys, including numerous grades
specifically designed for the heading industry.

Heading Hints is intended to serve as a reference source to aid in the suc-

cessful fabrication of these materials in cold forming operations. Among
the subjects covered are selection, lubricants and coatings, tooling and die
design and manufacture, important techniques and case histories. Most
of the information relates to stainless steel and high temperature alloys
heading practices, but much of it is also applicable to heading other
ferrous and nonferrous alloys.

While it is important to have a thorough knowledge of general cold

forming procedures, virtually all applications have their unique require-
ments. If you have any questions about a specific application for stainless
steel or high temperature alloys, or about heading and cold forming in
general, please feel free to contact Carpenter’s technical service staff.
Not only do we specialize in the development and production of alloys
and product forms for heading, but we have also compiled a considerable
amount of experience working with customers on fabrication problems
which could be relevant to solving your needs.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Heading Basics ...............................................................2

Chapter 2 Selecting the Right Stainless Steels and

High Temperature Alloys for Heading .......................17
Chapter 3 Coatings and Lubricants .............................................32

Chapter 4 Tooling for Heading .....................................................38

Chapter 5 Selected Hints ..............................................................47

Warm Heading ...............................................................47

Tubular Rivets.................................................................48
Hex Head Cap Screws ...................................................50
Thread Rolling ................................................................51

Accommodating Secondary Operations ........................52

Calculation Methods for Upset Volumes .......................53

Glossary ........................................................................56

1
Station 1—Cut-off
Coiled wire is fed into cold-former.
Chapter 1
Slug is cut off to specified length.
Heading Basics

Introduction to Cold Heading

Cold heading is a cold forming process that essentially involves applying
force with a punch to the end of a metal blank contained in a die. The
Station 2—Squaring
Ends of cut-off are squared. force must exceed the metal’s elastic limit (yield strength) to cause plastic
flow. It may be considered a forging operation without heat. Heading
includes upsetting and extruding, and is often performed in conjunction
with other cold forming operations such as sizing, piercing, trimming,
thread rolling, blank rolling and pointing.
Station 3—Impact Extrusion
Extrusion punch forces squared cut-off Upsetting, a term used synonymously with heading, means to form a head
through die orifice forming the smaller dia.
on a fastener, or a bulge in a cylindrical part being headed. Extruding
means either decreasing the diameter of the blank by pushing it through a
hole, or punching a hole in the center of the blank and allowing the metal
to flow backward over the punch. In both cases the volume of the metal
Station 4—2nd Blow Extrusion blank remains constant; it is merely reshaped by upsetting or extruding.
Shoulder is squared, and centering
marks formed in ends to assist in
subsequent operations. Heading is a metalworking process that goes back before the turn of the
century and for many years was used only to produce simple fasteners.
Today heading is a high-speed, automated and multi-station operation
that is capable of producing not only increasingly complex metal fasteners
economically, but a growing variety of other components, including some
Station 5—Backward Extrusion that are asymmetrical. Combined with this dramatic improvement in
Center hole is formed through
backward extrusion.
heading equipment is the ability to successfully cold form parts from
tougher metals, including stainless steels and high temperature alloys.

Advantages of Cold Heading

Station 6—Forward Extrusion
Taper is formed above large shoulder. Heading differs considerably from machining where material is actually
Two smaller shoulders are formed
and stem is forward extruded. cut away to form a finished part. In heading there is no scrap except for
a minimal amount which may occur during secondary operations, such
as trimming. Heading, however, is not intended to replace machining.
There are many cases—very complex parts, larger parts or low produc-
tion requirements—where machining is more economical. In fact, there
Station 7—Finishing Blow are some materials that cannot be headed. Heading and cold forming now,
Large shoulder is trimmed forming
sharp-cornered hexagon for wrenching.
however, enable more economical and faster production of many fas-
teners and other parts that previously could only be made with machining.

Fig. 1 Today’s sophisticated cold

forming machines include as many
as seven die stations. Here is one
possible sequence for producing a
part on a seven-die header.

2 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

Why Cold Heading Is On the Increase
Fasteners represent the single largest category of headed parts CUT-OFF KNIFE
CUT-OFF DIE

produced. Today, the multi-billion-dollar domestic fastener industry WIRE

manufactures some 260 billion fasteners from a variety of materials.
Many people are not aware that heading and cold forming are used
to make a wide range of components—from spark plugs to axles. Cold
heading and forming technologies continue to expand and improve.
CUT-OFF
LENGTH

WIRE STOP
Recent Developments in Cold Heading/Forming
Heading and cold forming machinery is much more advanced. For
example, machines are now produced with five or more dies and HEADING DIE

features to allow the production of both long and short parts. One
adjustment changes the cutter, feed stroke, transfer and kickout timing
functions. CNC control gives the operator instant access to production
data. Quick change setups allow both punch and die components to
be set up and adjusted off-line, so valuable production time is not wasted. CUT-OFF KNIFE TRANSFERS
BLANK TO DIE-CENTER
Multi-station headers that perform a combination of upsetting, extruding
and other cold forming operations have also significantly increased
CUT-OFF KNIFE
HEADING DIE
heading production rates and capabilities (Figure 1). RETRACTS

Increasing metallurgical knowledge enables the heading and cold

forming of tougher materials. Specialty alloy producers like Carpenter FIRST PUNCH
can more closely control the analysis and manufacture of grades to meet
more demanding requirements for greater corrosion resistance and BLANK

strength in headed parts. Where good cold forming qualities and consis-
Fig. 2 Proper cut-off of blanks in the
tent performance are desired, it is now possible to have certain AISI heading machine is a critical operation
grades made within controlled analysis limits to improve cold formability since blank mass equals the mass of
and subsequent secondary machining operations. the finished part. Most headers use a
sequence like this to cut blanks from
In other cases, analyses which have been modified for cold forming wire coils.
provide a means for the economical production of certain fastener
designs. Tougher tool steels extend the life of heading dies. Producers
like Carpenter also make alloys that are versatile enough to meet fabrica-
tion operations that call for both heading and machining. For example,
Carpenter’s 302HQ-FM® stainless combines the advantages of a popular
cold heading grade (Custom flo 302HQ stainless) and a free machining
grade (Project 70® Type 303 stainless). Finally, other heading practices,
such as warm and hot heading, can extend the forming limits to include
many of the superalloys.

CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS 3

 How the Heading Process Works
Start of Heading equipment primarily takes round wire in a coil form and
first blow
converts the wire into desired parts at a high rate of speed.

BLANK IN DIE Four basic steps comprise the heading process (Figure 2):

1. A length or blank of wire is cut from the wire coil.

2. The blank is placed in line with a cavity or die.

End of
first blow
3. The blank is forced into a desired shape with one or more upsetting
and/or extruding operations called blows.
EXTRUSION

4. The part is ejected.

This heading process may be part of a sophisticated cold forming machine

Second blow
different that has additional points or stations where further operations—trimming,
punch
piercing or pointing—are carried out following upsetting and extruding.
HEAD COMPLETED
Most headers, however, are of the single or double blow variety. Multi-
station part formers can include up to seven die stations. The part being
Fig. 3 The typical one-die, two-punch formed is transferred from one die to another until a completed part is
method is common in producing
produced. The typical arrangement is horizontal, though some multi-
headed parts, especially fasteners. The
station formers are arranged vertically; the part progresses from the first
first blow combines partial head upset
(coning) with shank extrusion, while die station at the top to the last die station at the bottom in this case.
the second blow finishes head shape.
Forming parts on a heading machine using upsetting or extruding is
not merely a matter of hammering the metal blank until the desired
shape is reached.

The punch and die work together. The punch is a simply shaped
KICKOUT PIN DIE BLANK PUNCH hammer that strikes the blank on its end. This forces the other end
into the die which produces, for example, a headed bolt (Figure 3).
In a typical heading machine the punch, carried on the gate or ram,
moves toward the blank with a great deal of force, striking it with an
Head formed impact of many tons per square inch.
in punch

Perhaps no operation in the cold heading sequence is more important

Head formed than the wire cut-off to form the blanks. This is because the volume of the
in die
finished part essentially equals the volume of the blank from which it was
made. Since part dimensions and part volume are interdependent, blanks
Head formed
in punch must be cut to consistent volume.
and die

In many instances the upsetting of the blank is controlled by the punch

Head formed
between punch and takes place outside the die. However, the head can also be formed in
and die
the die, in both the punch and die, or between the punch and die, a tech-
nique called free upsetting (Figure 4).
Fig. 4 The upset of fastener heads
is accomplished using one of these Commonly, each die station in the heading machine has two punches that
four methods:
oscillate to form the fastener head. The first punch action partially shapes
1. Head formed in punch.
the head and is called coning, while the second punch finishes the head.
2. Head formed in die.
3. Head formed in punch and die. A heading machine includes either solid dies or open dies. Solid dies are
4. Head formed between punch
more common; open dies are used when a fastener requires a very long
and die (free upset).

4 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

shank that cannot be fabricated with a solid die. In solid die headers, the
knockout (or kickout) pin is equally important to the interaction of the
punch and die. The knockout pin serves as a support at the back end of
the blank as the punch strikes the front end, and the knockout pin then
ejects the finished part (Figure 5). KNOCKOUT PIN

Different combinations of upsetting and extrusion blows are possible, but

upsetting is generally the first blow, with an extrusion blow following.
First Blow
Upsetting and extrusion can take place in the same blow.

Knockout Pin Specifics

Knockout (or kickout) pins serve two functions. They stop blanks as they
enter the die at the point where upsetting is to start. For this reason pins
Second Blow
must withstand some of the forming pressures. The second knockout pin
function is to eject the headed part to clear the die for the next blank.
The unsupported length of the pin should not exceed eight diameters.
This is a good general rule, though some fabricators run parts with the
knockout pin equivalent to 10 or 12 diameters unsupported.

When the knockout pin’s unsupported length exceeds these diameters,

Fig. 5 The knockout (or kickout) pin
a supported pin assembly (Figure 6) is suggested.
plays an important role in solid die
Lack of support isn’t the only reason for pin breakage. Broken pins can heading. The pin acts as a blank
result from running poorly coated wire, or wire with an incorrectly support and also ejects finished parts.

selected coating. Rough, rusted or uncoated spots on a wire make the

parts more difficult to eject; this may result in pin breakage. Also, as the
end of the knockout pin wears, it’s possible for metal to extrude around
the end of the pin. This may cause a tight spot in the die where the pin
and workpiece overlap, resulting in sufficient additional pressure to
break the pin. A similar effect can occur when the diameter of the pin is
too large. As the pin stops the workpiece when it enters the die, it often

FILLER—D A—CENTER SUPPORT

KNOCKOUT PIN HEAD—C B—TELESCOPING SLEEVE DIE

Fig. 6 When unsupported knockout pin length must exceed 12 diameters, a

supported pin assembly like this is recommended. The center support (A) reduces
the unsupported length to less than 12 diameters on both sides of support.

CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS 5

 absorbs part of the heading process. A pin that is too large, which means
DIAMETER 1/2"
it fits the die too closely, may swell, bind in the die and break from the
resulting pressure.
1 1/2" A back taper in the die (a smaller bore diameter at the die face than
toward the kickout pin) may allow the metal to upset to a larger diameter
2
at the end of the shank than under the head. In this instance the knock-
out pin must force the larger diameter through a smaller hole during
3
ejection. Here, excessive ejection pressure may break the pin. Machining
4 marks left in the die can also create excessive pressure. Die bores must
be smooth and rust-free.
5
5"

6
Controlled Upsetting
7
There is a limit to the amount of material that can be upset in one blow
under controlled conditions. Forming a more complex part in which
8 more metal is moved farther is better accomplished in two stages, or
blows, which is why single-die, double-stroke (two punches) headers
9
are more widely used.
10 Upsets are calculated on the basis of wire “diameters” (Figure 7). The
length of the blank is divided by the wire’s diameter. Thus, a 5" blank of
1
Fig. 7 This simplified diagram shows /2" wire is 10 diameters long; a 10" blank of 1" wire is also 10 diameters
how diameters of wire are calculated long. A rule of thumb is that in a single blow on a solid die header, the
to determine upsetting limits. maximum amount of wire that can be upset under control is 21/4
diameters. Theoretically we could use approximately 1" of the 5" blank
to upset into a fastener head. Most single blow heading, however, is
within the 1 to 11/4 diameter range. With a two-blow heading sequence,
up to 41/2 diameters can be upset.

PUNCH At the moment of contact between the punch and blank, the part
of the blank to be upset extends out of the die unsupported. If this
BLANK
unsupported length is too long, or greater than 21/4 diameters, the
blank will simply bend over on itself when struck, which produces
what is known as a cold shut defect. With our 5" blank, 1" unsupported
can be upset in one blow; 2" unsupported can be upset in two blows.
If an attempt was made to upset 3", it could not be controlled since
this equals 6 diameters.
Fig. 8 Extrusion is either open (left)
in which the blank is forced under There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. A sophisticated header with
pressure into a smaller diameter die a sliding punch that supports more of the blank allows two-blow upsets of
hole, or it is trapped where the blank
61/2 diameters. Also, in multi-station headers the number of diameters
is totally confined within the die prior
that can be upset is limited only by the available dies.
to extrusion (right). Trapped extrusion
permits reductions in area of up to This relationship between diameters of wire and upsetting is critical.
75 percent, while open extrusion
Improper calculation can mean mismatching the diameter of the feed
allows only 30 percent area reduction
wire with the machine’s capabilities.
in one blow.

6 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

 BLANK BEFORE BLANK AFTER
Extruding EXTRUSION EXTRUSION
Many cold headed parts are also extruded. Forward extrusion occurs
when the metal blank is forced to enter a die diameter smaller than itself.
Length is increased, while diameter is decreased. Backward extrusion
100% AREA AREA REDUCED 30%
involves subjecting the blank to pressure from an angular punch. Because
it has no place to go, the metal literally squirts along the outer perimeter
28°–30°
of the punch, flowing backward. Forward extrusion is used to produce
bolts, screws or stepped shafts; backward extrusion is useful in forming a
variety of cylindrical shapes such as nuts, sleeves and tubular rivets. Like
upsetting, extrusion simply rearranges the shape of the blank and there is Normal Extrusion
Angle 28°–30°
no loss of material.
28°–30° Extrusion Angle
Extrusion can be in an open or trapped (contained) manner. Open
extrusion means the blank is forced into a die; trapped extrusion means
the blank is totally contained within a die prior to extrusion (Figure 8). 1/8" LAND
IN DIE
While controlled upsetting is based on diameters of wire, extrusions are
governed by the area reduction of the blank (calculated as a percentage)
and the angle of extrusion. The basic ground rules for open extrusion,
DIE
which is more widely used than trapped extrusion, is that the percentage
of area reduction in one blow cannot exceed 30 percent. The extrusion
angle (the angle the shoulder of the extrusion makes with the original
blank) cannot exceed 30 degrees (Figure 9). Fig. 9 These are the elements of the
Area is defined as the cross-sectional area of the blank using the basic ground rules for open extrusion.

standard circular area formula A = πr2. A blank with a cross-sectional

area of 1.00 sq. in. extruded to a cross-sectional area of 0.75 sq. in. is General rule of thumb.
A
a 25 percent reduction in area. Remember that diameter measurements,
both before and after extrusion, are not directly used to calculate area
reduction. The actual cross-sectional areas must be calculated by using
B D
the above formula. Successful extrusion practice also requires that the
blank extend at least 1/8" (land) into the die for proper guidance as the
punch strikes.
These rules do not apply to trapped extrusion that typically allows
for area reductions as high as 75 percent in one blow. Fig. 10 This diagram illustrates the radial
extrusion die and its key dimensions.

Contained (Trapped) Extrusion

This practice is responsible for allowing headers to produce more
complicated and multi-shaped parts formerly made on automatic screw
machines. It’s especially applicable for extruding larger diameter wire to
the required shank, a method that makes it possible to increase the ratio
of the head diameter to the shank diameter.
The radial extrusion die (Figure 10) is generally preferred for contained
extrusion of headed parts. This type of die reduces die pressures and Fig. 11 This photomicrograph shows
improves the flow pattern of the wire as it is pushed through the die. radial flow pattern, which indicates die
pressures are decreased as the outside
edges flowed much more readily
through the core.

CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS 7

 There are general rules to follow when using the radial extrusion die:

1. The blank to be extruded should be a minimum of 0.002"

smaller than the die entrance.

2. The entrance length of the die should be a minimum of one-quarter

blank diameter. Maximum depth is determined by the volume of
stock in the upset portion and geometry of the finished part.

3. The radius is usually equal to “C” in Figure 10. This varies with
the percentage area reduction.
Fig. 12 Simple upsetting was used 4. The extrusion land “B” is usually 10 percent of dimension “A.”
for the screw blank on the left, while
This varies with die material.
contained extrusion was used to
form the part on the right. 5. Extrusion relief is usually a half percent of “C.”

6. Break corner “D” with approximately a 45˚ angle leading into

the extrusion land.

With any contained extrusion die, best results are often obtained by
forming wire that is somewhat larger in diameter than the finished shank.
Wire size is selected so that the upset dimension of the head will be about
twice the original wire diameter. This wire is extruded to the shank
diameter and upset to the head dimensions in the customary manner.

Combining Upsettings and Extrusion

Fig. 13 The shank of this part was trap Multiple station machines often combine upsetting and extruding opera-
extruded, and the head trapped and tions to form large-head, small-shank parts. The reason is that upsets can
upset to produce the exaggerated head involve 6 to 10 diameters, rather than the 41/2 diameters maximum.
to shank ratio. Upsetting and extruding, however, are separate operations, so maximum
deformation of a blank must be figured separately for upsetting and
extruding limits even with multi-station headers.

By starting with wire stock larger in diameter than the required shank,
then extruding the shank and finally upsetting the head, maximum
deformations can be reached for both extruding and upsetting based on
initial stock size. For instance, a 1/2" blank trap extruded to a reduction in
area of 80 percent, and then upset 6 diameters, results in an actual upset
having 70 diameters of the extruded shank size.

Since single-die, double-stroke headers (one die, two punches, two

blows) are the norm in heading machines, combining upsetting and extru-
sion is common practice. The first blow extrudes the shank and partially
forms the head; the second blow finishes the head.

Fig. 14 The shoulder on this part is the

An important rule for combining these two operations is that parts being
same size as the wire diameter, while formed in solid dies cannot have a shank length that exceeds 8 diameters
the shank was extruded and the head (Figure 15). Since solid dies include a knockout pin, the knockout pin
upset and trimmed. must overcome the great friction between the shank and the die as it
kicks out the finished part. If more than 8 diameters of the knockout pin

8 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

are unsupported outside the die, the knockout pin will usually bend as it
8 DIAMETERS
pushes against the blank. Shank lengths over 8 diameters are produced UNSUPPORTED

using an open die, a two-part die that is spread apart by a cam mecha-
nism as the part is finished. The next blank pushes out the finished part;
no knockout pin is used with open dies.
KNOCKOUT PIN BLANK
FULLY WITHDRAWN 8 DIAMETERS IN DIE

Typical Examples
Let’s assume a bolt has to be made from 1/4" wire on a two-blow, solid-die DIE SPREADER CAM
header. If we factor in the ground rules for upsetting and extrusion, the BLANK DIE SPREADER
following limits apply to making this part:

1. The maximum length in inches of metal that can be used to

upset the head is 11/8" (41/2 diameters of the 1/4" wire).

2. The maximum shank length is 2" (8 diameters of 1/4" wire).

3. The maximum blank length is 31/8", which includes 11/8" of Die cavity in use. When worn,
die can be repositioned to bring
new cavity into use.
material to upset the head, and 2" of material to form the shank.

Here’s another example. Assume you want to produce a part like the Fig. 15 Solid-die shank extrusion
cannot exceed eight diameters, which
one shown in Figure 16. First, it would be uneconomical to machine this
means the knockout pin cannot be
fastener from 11/4" stock in large numbers. Second, the part cannot be
unsupported outside the die for more
produced with conventional two-blow, solid-die heading. Here’s why. A 1/2" than 8 diameters. Shanks longer than 8
wire stock is required to form the head. Using 1/4" or 3/8" wire exceeds the diameters are extruded with an open
41/2 diameters rule for two-blow upsets. However, by using 1/2" wire, the die, shown on the bottom.
quarter-inch shank cannot be extruded in standard fashion. The 1/2" wire
has an approximate area of 0.20 sq. in., while the 1/4" shank has an area
of 0.05 sq. in. This is an area reduction of 75 percent that exceeds the
30 percent ground rule for open extrusion. This part can be formed from
the 1/2" wire, however, on a two-die, three-blow header:

1. Trap extrude the 1/2" shank portion, since this method allows
for area reductions of up to 75 percent. 11/4"

2. Transfer the part to the second die station and finish it in the normal 3/4"

one-die, two-punch sequence. The first blow extrudes the 3/4" shank
portion and partially forms (or cones) the head. The second blow
forms the 11/4" diameter head. 1/4"

Fig. 16
Warm and Hot Heading
Warm and hot heading techniques involve the heating of wire or blanks
during certain stages of the heading process and allow forming of more
heavily alloyed metals, including precipitation hardening stainless steels
and high temperature alloys. To assist in forming parts such as recessed-
head screws from tougher metals, wire can be heated before it enters
the header. This reduces yield and tensile strengths to improve forming
characteristics.

CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS 9

 Warm heading in the metallurgical sense is really cold heading since the
metallurgical structure is not affected; the material is simply made more
ductile. With hot heading, however, the metallurgical structure of the
material is often altered. In both instances, less pressure is required to
make the metal flow plastically since warm and hot heading techniques
lower material strength and increase ductility.

Warm heading has been applied successfully in forming stainless steels

and high temperature alloys such as Carpenter Pyromet® A-286 alloy and
Greek Ascoloy. Heating is most effective in the 350˚ to 450˚F (177˚ to
232˚C) temperature range. While warm or hot heading is not normally
required for highly headable stainless grades such as Custom Flo 302HQ
or Type 430, it may be used with these metals to improve metal flow and
avoid stress cracking in severe upsets.

Warm heading is accomplished by heating the wire before it enters the

feed rolls or, when possible, between the feed rolls and the heading
machine. Three types of heating methods are usually used—resistance,
gas or induction.

Hot heading, on the other hand, means heating the wire to the 1100˚
or 1200˚F (593˚ or 649˚C) temperature range. It’s almost equivalent
to forging.

Proper choice of lubricants is essential for effective warm and hot

heading. (See Chapter 3.)

For additional hints for warm heading, see Chapter 5.

Types of Heading Machines

Many types of heading machines are available and they combine standard
and special tooling to carry out a variety of heading and cold forming
operations and sequences. Some weigh as much as 500,000 pounds and
have seven die stations. Since only so much metal can be formed in one
blow, the number of dies and wire diameter acceptance range are usually
used to describe machine types. Typical measurements cover wire diam-
eter, blank length and heading force.

Specifications for a typical solid-die header may be:

Max. Diameter Wire = 1/4" (Force available at cut-off knife for shearing).
Max. Shank Length = 2" (Approximately 8 times wire diameter).
Max. Wire Cut-off Length = 31/8" (About 12 times rated wire diameter).
Max. Pieces per Minute = 125 (Optimum machine rotation speed).
Max. Heading Capacity = 50 tons (Force required to upset a carriage
bolt of the rated wire diameter wire, in this case 1/4").

Machine specs tend to be conservative. It is best to discuss questions

about machine capabilities, or which type of header to purchase,
with the manufacturer.

10 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

 CRANK

DIE PUNCH DIE PUNCH

TOGGLE BLANK
two blows per
crankshaft revolution

CRANKSHAFT

Fig. 17 The gate (ram) on the heading machine is toggle or crank operated.
The toggle machine (left) allows two forward strokes per machine revolution,
while the crank allows one. Most agree that neither has a definite advantage.

Heading machines are divided into two basic types, crank and toggle
headers (Figure 17). The toggle type, the older version, provides a
mechanical advantage and gives two forward strokes per machine
revolution. The crank machine is capable of one blow per revolution.
Neither is considered to be more advantageous. The toggle type is
used to produce simpler parts, while the crank version, which is more
prevalent today, is used for more complex forming.

These are the common machines available:

Single-Stroke: Has one die, one punch. These are used to make simple
parts that can be formed in one blow. Ball headers are a variation of this
type. Production rates up to 600 parts per minute are possible.

Single-Die, Double-Stroke: Considered the most versatile and widely used

machine. It includes one die, two punches, and produces most screw
blanks and other fasteners. Wire capacity ranges up to 3/4" diameter.
Production up to 450 parts per minute. Some double-stroke headers are
custom designed for tubular rivet production.

Three Blow, Two Die: Includes two dies and three punches, and has the
same basic design as the double-stroke header. It offers an added advan-
tage of extruding or upsetting in the first die, with double-blow heading,
or heading and trimming in the second die. It’s used to produce large-
head small-shank fasteners, or parts requiring trapped extrusion
and upsetting. It’s also excellent for making stepped-diameter parts
where transfer between dies would be difficult.

Progressive or Multi-Station: These are equipped with as many as seven

die stations; most are two- to five-die machines with an identical number of
punches. A simple transfer mechanism moves workpieces from the cutter
through successive dies. Multiple upsetting blows, combined with ex-
truding, piercing and trimming, make these machines ideal for long shank
parts production. They can accommodate materials up to an inch in
diameter with under-the-head parts lengths of up to nine inches.

CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS 11

 Boltmakers: These are three- and four-die headers that combine heading,
trimming, pointing and threading in the same machine. Materials up to
Proper Machine Setup 11/2" in diameter are used, and production rates vary up to 300 pieces per
minute. Boltmakers produce completely finished hexagonal and socket
There are several fundamental and capscrews, as well as a number of other special threaded parts.
critical points for proper heading
machine setup. These include: Cold Nut Formers: Standard or special nuts are run on this machine with
Material Selection—Regardless of the five die stations. A simple transfer mechanism rotates the blanks end-for-
wire, adequate records are essential. end between successive dies, which allows for working of the metal on
Careful documentation includes
both sides to produce high quality nut blanks. Center plugs are easily
writing down the lot number, heat
number, wire condition and previous reclaimable, so there is very little material waste. Nuts an inch or larger
results. Save the original wire tag and are run on this machine.
apply it to any coil remainder.
Cold Formers: Four, five or six die stations and a variety of transfer
Feeding—Properly sized feed rolls are
mechanisms make these the most versatile heading machines. Forming
important, yet often overlooked. With
the wrong size rolls, several problems operations for making odd-shaped parts can be combined on this one
can occur. Galling may result during machine. They are set up to feed wire, bar or blanks, and can form metal
the heading stage with out-of-round cold or warm. Materials in the 2" diameter and larger range can be run.
wire; wire surface can be scratched;
and slippage, resulting in short feeds,
Multiple upsetting blows combined with extruding, piercing and trimming
often comes with improper machine operations make cold formers ideal for producing long shank or specially
timing and tool alignment. The latter designed components.
also means excessive tool breakage.
All the above machines have five basic operations—upsetting, extruding
Quill—Good quill design calls for com-
plete elimination of obstructions (forward and backward), trimming and piercing. Other related operations
in the I.D. Sharp corners should be like swaging, coining or embossing can also be performed. Since all
avoided. The inside bearing surface heading machines include a predetermined number of die stations
is usually just large enough to permit
or operations, the design of parts must match equipment capabilities.
the wire to fit easily without being
“sloppy.” Excessive I.D. clearance
will create a poor shearing action that
results in a burr on the cut-off blank. Materials That Can Be Headed
This, in turn, causes problems in the
Although at one time it was felt cold heading techniques were some-
heading stage.
what limited to ductile materials with low work hardening rates, that
Shearing—To produce consistent
is no longer the case. With today’s more advanced equipment, techniques
cleanly cut blanks, the cut-off knife
should be made from a highly wear- and tooling, higher strength materials like the stainless steels and high
resistant steel. Carpenter No. 610® alloy, temperature alloys are routinely being cold headed. A number of stainless
a high-carbon, high-chrome tool steel, steels are produced with modified compositions to provide lower work
has been used in such applications.
hardening rates. (See Chapter 2 for details on the proper selection of
Wire Stop Nib—The nib should have materials.)
a hard, square contact surface to
provide for maximum wear resistance
without causing burr formation.
Formability Considerations
Wire Feed Setting—Adjust this to
provide a full cut-off blank with each
Strength of materials is the determining factor in the ease of cold forming.
stroke. But avoid excessive over-travel. The yield and tensile strength of an alloy governs formability. Yield
This actually inhibits clean cut-off and strength is the point at which the metal begins to deform permanently;
causes problems at subsequent
tensile strength is the point at which the metal begins to tear apart.
stations.
Plastic flow occurs when the force applied exceeds the material’s yield
strength. If the metal is stressed beyond its tensile strength during
forming, the blank splits, cracks or breaks. The range in which a metal
can be cold worked lies between its yield and tensile strength values.

12 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

Tensile strengths (ultimate strengths) found in most technical literature
differ from the actual strengths of the materials being formed in the
header. These strengths, therefore, must be considered in cold forming.
The strength of a material is affected by both the temperature at which
it is being formed and by the speed with which it is being formed. It is
also affected by the geometry of the part being made.

What occurs physically with materials during the heading process is very
complex. While it can be frustrating, for example, when trying to deter-
mine exactly why certain materials may crack, it is comforting to know
that modern technology is addressing this problem. CAD/CAM techniques
are being employed to more accurately predict and control what happens
to materials in the headers. Software packages are available that can allow
design engineers or operators to precisely determine if slowing the part
production rate per minute would eliminate cracking problems.

Cold worked metal work (or strain) hardens due to a reorganization of its
microstructure. A series of cold forming operations means both the yield
strength and tensile strength increase. However, the yield strength
increases faster than the tensile strength, which narrows the metal’s
formability range mentioned above. Depending on the type of metal, this
range can become so narrow that further attempts to cold work the metal
result in fracture.

Work hardening accounts for the increased strength of formed parts, and
there is an associated increase in tooling pressure required to deform
them. The standard grades designed for cold heading take into account
the desirability of low cold working rates. (See Chapter 2.)

Wire Considerations
An important part of good cold headability is the soundness of the wire.
Sound centers are promoted by close controls during Carpenter’s melting
and hot working operations. In addition, a thorough billet inspection for
surface defects is important. Quality wire offers fabricators consistent,
lot-to-lot uniformity; excellent formability; optimum cut-off results;
controlled sizes in a wide range of diameters; close tolerances and
uniform coils; and superior surfaces.

A broad range of wire sizes and alloy types are available to match
expanding cold-forming opportunities. As a leading domestic producer
of headable alloys and product forms, Carpenter manufactures a
number of different alloys in standard wire sizes up to 1.00" in diameter.
The majority of headed parts are made from wire in the 0.062" to 0.750"
diameter range.

Equally important is the capability of the producer to match specific

fabricator needs. Carpenter produces wire in three basic conditions: hot
rolled annealed, cold drawn annealed, and annealed cold drawn. Cold

CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS 13

 finished wire is ready for the heading operation and the manufacturer
controls the consistency and tolerances. Wire ready-for-redraw and hot
rod receive less processing at the mill and so have more variation in size,
Advantages of Heading
mechanical properties and finish. With that in mind, the heading shop
assumes a greater share of responsibility for product quality in return for
reduced material cost. Many headers prefer annealed, cold finished wire
since it can go right into the header for production. Others prefer partially
finished wire because they have drawing capabilities in line with their
heading operation and want more precise control of the wire diameter.
ROUND SQUARE ROUND
HEAD HEAD HEAD Design Versatility: Cold heading or forming opens unlimited
possibilities to the part designer:

1. Cold forming allows use of high strength parts to be produced from

non-heat-treatable alloys.

2. Cold forming is often the most cost effective way to produce compli-
cated configurations compared with profile milling, electric discharge
RADIAL RECESSED CARRIAGE
SLOT DRIVE BOLT machining, hobbing or chemical etching.

3. Cold forming has inherent capabilities for greater strength and high
production rates.

Designers can, and should, rely on the expertise of cold forming produc-
tion people who are most familiar with machining capabilities. Extruding,
for example, is an efficient and highly economical method for creating two
LUGS COLLAR OFFSET
HEAD
or more different diameters on a part. With backward extrusion, the
designer has an excellent way to form tubular shapes, including those
produced with double reverse extrusions. Some part configurations
achievable with cold forming are indicated in Figure 18. Multi-station
headers also contribute to the designer’s ability to produce a component
that requires closely allied cold forming operations.
Variety of Sizes, Shapes, Part Complexity: Economically produced,
HEXAGONAL DOUBLE DIAMETER
HEAD REVERSE REDUCTION cold formed parts today include bolts, studs, screws, rivets, special
EXTRUSION
fasteners, cams, valves and many other components requiring the
diameter of the head to be substantially larger than the shank. Total
upsetting of the blank also is performed on cold headers to mass produce
nuts and balls for ball bearings. Symmetrical parts are the easiest to cold
form and cylindrical parts require only that a transfer mechanism move
CYLINDRICAL OFFSET, MULTIDIAMETER
them from one die to another. Asymmetrical parts require positioning at
EXTRUSION PIERCED AND EXTRUSION
EMBOSSED each station, which calls for close cooperation between the product
designer and tool engineer.
Fig. 18 A wide range of designs is
possible for cold headed parts. Tolerances: Tolerances vary with the style of the upset and, as with any
other manufacturing process, closer tolerances require greater cost and
precision. Diameter tolerances in cold forming operations are easily held
within acceptable limits for standard fasteners. Tolerances are naturally
affected by tool wear, so a check on die wear is mandatory when running
parts with tighter tolerances.

14 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

Positive Metallurgical Effects: A primary advantage of cold forming is
maximization of metallurgical properties in the finished part. The upset
process actually causes the metal to flow along the axis of the blank;
the grain structure is rearranged in the process to follow the contour of
the part (Figure 19). This new grain structure supports the part and adds
strength to it. Cutting, on the other hand, weakens grain structure. Metal
cut away from underneath a bolt head means cutting the grain structure
at the same time, so the bolt head is now weaker than the stock from
which it was cut.

Cold heading involves working of the metal far below its recrystallization
temperature. Existing grains are worked and no new grains are formed.
This improves strength, hardness, toughness and fatigue resistance. Cold
worked grains are usually finer than in hot-forged parts and the grain flow
lines established by the various cold forming operations remain uninter-
rupted in the finished part. The result is enhanced strength at critically
stressed corners. This metallurgical advantage often allows headed parts
to be smaller without sacrificing properties.

High Production Rates, Repeatability: Today’s headers can turn out parts
at a rate as high as 100 times greater than that achievable with machining.
While production rates are controlled by part size and complexity,
heading and cold forming machines are automated production lines that
Fig. 19 Heading improves the finished
take raw material and convert it to finished parts, ready for use. In a
part’s grain structure by making it
multi-station header where all the die units are working in unison, a
conform to the flow of the design.
finished part is ejected with every stroke. With good die design, low The machined fastener on the bottom
temperature and good lubrication, repeatability is excellent. indicates how metallurgical structure
is weakened by operations that cut
Material Savings: Cold forming is a type of “chipless machining.” Parts are
across flow lines.
produced to net or near net shapes. The only waste comes from piercing
and trimming. Heading scrap losses average from one to three percent, Grain structure before upsetting

while turning or forging can produce scrap losses as high as 75 percent.

An excellent example of material savings occurs in the cold forming of Feedstock

spark plug bodies. Prior to using cold forming, the pieces were cut with AXIS

scrap losses averaging 74 percent. Now, the bodies can be cold formed 10
times faster and with scrap losses of only six percent.
Grain structure after upsetting

The weight of a finished part that is headed can generally be held within
±1 percent when required, or to even ±0.2 percent when more precise Headed
cut-off is used to produce blanks. Oftentimes further machining is not
required, and on many jobs cold forming eliminates secondary grinding.
GRAIN NOT CUT

Finished Quality: Longer part life is a benefit of cold formed parts since
the controlled flow lines offer added resistance to impact, fatigue and
shear failure. Cold forming means improved surface finishes. Extruding
Machined
may improve surface finish from 10 to 100 micro inches and upsetting
results in high quality finishes when the part is confined in the tooling
GRAIN STRUCTURE CUT
or comes in contact with tooling surfaces. High quality finishes result
when a high quality wire feed stock is used.

CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS 15

 Disadvantages of Heading
Heading, like any other metalworking process, has its limitations.
Relatively simple designs that can be produced on standard one- or two-
blow headers usually require a minimum quantity of about 5,000 parts to
cover tooling costs and set up. Complex parts that call for multiple dies,
development work and other procedures usually require a quantity of at
least 25,000 to 30,000 pieces. Larger or more complicated designs may
not lend themselves to cold forming, but require machining instead. Some
materials, because of their exceptionally high strength levels, may exceed
the formability range limits for cold forming.

16 CHAPTER 1 | HEADING BASICS

Chapter 2
Selecting the Right Stainless Steels and High
Temperature Alloys for Heading

Introduction
Stainless steels and high temperature alloys for cold heading offer today’s
fastener producer or manufacturer of headed components an important
opportunity for increasing productivity and profits. A growing variety of
headable specialty grades are readily available from Carpenter as high
quality wire in several conditions and with a variety of coatings designed
for virtually all cold forming, upsetting and extruding operations.

Carpenter, working closely with the cold heading industry, has improved
the headability of its heading grades over the years through tight analysis
control, special alloy additions and improved manufacturing processes.
Quality wire for feedstock is available fully cold finished or in partially
finished conditions to match a fabricator’s particular manufacturing
capabilities. Additional gains have been made with improved coatings
(see Chapter 3), better methods of selecting headable stainless steels
and the improved capability of heading equipment.

More and more applications, particularly those in which components

are subject to harsh environments, high operating temperatures and
great pressures, require the corrosion resistance and strength of
stainless steels and high temperature alloys.

Selection, wire quality, fabricating techniques, coatings and costs

are basic concerns shared by all headers.

Alloy Selection
Selecting the right stainless steel or high temperature alloy for a heading
job presents no problem if the fastener manufacturer meets required
material specifications. If none are provided, the best headable alloy may
be determined by means of an orderly, four-step selection process.

In order of importance, the following questions should be answered:

1. What level of corrosion resistance is required?

2. What strength is needed, bearing in mind that mechanical properties

may be affected by heading or subsequent heat treatment?

3. Which of the grades meeting corrosion and strength requirements

has the best headability?

4. What is the availability of the alloy selected?

In addition, two other variables should be considered. One is the part

complexity, which determines the severity of upset or extrusion. The
other is the heading wire coating which, particularly in the case of an alloy

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 17

 Stainless Steels
Properties are typical for batch annealed product. Strand annealed properties are higher.
Typical maximum Typical maximum
tensile strength tensile strength not easily headed, is essential in
as annealed 5% cold worked
or overaged facilitating forming and obtaining
Alloy
(UNS No.) Alloying Elements ksi MPa ksi MPa reasonable tool life.
409Cb 0.06 C max; 1.00 Mn max; 0.045 P max; 70 483 80 552
(S40940) 0.04 S max; 1.00 Si max; 10.50-11.75 Cr;
0.50 Ni max; (10 x C min.)/ 0.75 Cb
430 0.12 C max; 14.00-18.00 Cr 75 517 86 593
Alloy Classes
(S43000) Before considering corrosion resis-
410 0.15 C max; 11.50-13.50 Cr 78 538 90 621 tance as a selection requirement,
(S41000)
a review of the stainless steel and
TrimRite® 0.15/0.30 C; 1.0 Mn max; 1.0 Si max; 0.04 90 621 95 655
(S42010) P max; 0.03 S max; 13.50/15.00 Cr; high temperature alloy classes may
0.25/1.00 Ni; 0.40/1.00 Mo
be helpful.
No. 10 (384) 0.08 max; 15.00-17.00 Cr;17.00-19.00 Ni 78 538 83 572
(S38400)
The simplest stainless steels
302HQ 0.08 C max; 2.00 Mn max; 0.045 P max; 75 517 83 572
(S30430) 0.03 S max;1.00 Si max; 17.00/19.00 Cr; contain a minimum of about
8.00/10.00 Ni; 3.00/4.00 Cu
11 percent chromium, in addition
302HQ-FM® 0.06 C max; 2.00 Mn max; 0.040 P max; 85 655 93 641
(S30431) 0.14 S max; 1.00 Si max; 16.00/19.00 Cr;
to iron. They are generally known
9.00/11.00 Ni; 1.30/2.40 Cu as the AISI 400 series of stainless
305 0.12 C max; 17.00-19.00 Cr; 10.00-13.00 Ni 83 572 93 641 steels. Depending on the
(S30500)
316 0.08 C max; 16.00-18.00 Cr;
chromium and carbon contents,
85 655 95 655
(S31600) 10.00-14.00 Ni; 2.00-3.00 Mo they may be martensitic or
431 0.20 C max; 15.00-17.00 Cr; 1.25-2.50 Ni 105 724 115 793 ferritic. The martensitic alloys,
(S43100)
typically containing more than
304/304 Mod. 0.08 C max; 18.00-20.00 Cr; 8.00-11.00 Ni 93 641 95/100 655/689
(S30400) 0.08 percent carbon, are harden-
204-Cu 0.15 C max; 6.50-9.00 Mn; 15.50-17.50 Cr; 100 689 110 758 able by heat treatment. Type 410
1.50-3.50 Ni; 0.05-0.25 N; 2.00-4.00 Cu
stainless is a typical grade.
321 0.08 C max; 17.00-19.00 Cr; 93 641 100 689
(S32100) 9.00-12.00 Ni; Ti (5 x C min)
Increasing chromium or reducing
347 0.08 C max; 17.00-19.00 Cr; 93 641 105 724
(S34700) 9.00-13.00 Ni; Cb + Ta (10 x C min) carbon results in a ferritic
20Cb-3® 0.07 C max; 2.00 Mn max; 1.00 Si max; 105 724 115 793 stainless steel, which is non-
(N08020) 19.00/21.00 Cr; 30.00/38.00 Ni; 2.00/3.00
Mo; 3.00/4.00 Cu; Cb + Ta (8 x C
hardenable by heat treatment.
min/1.00% max) Type 430 stainless is a typical alloy
15-7PH 0.09 C max; 1.00 Mn max; 0.04 P max; 130 896 145 1000 in this family. Increasing chromium
(S15700) 0.03 S max; 1.00 Si max; 14.00-16.00 Cr;
6.50-7.75 Ni; 2.00-3.00 Mo; 0.75-1.50 Al; also improves corrosion resis-
Fe balance
tance. Therefore, Type 430
15Cr-5Ni 0.07 C max; 1.00 Mn max; 0.04 P max; 135 931 145 1000
(S15500) 0.03 S max; 1.00 Si max; 14.00-15.50 Cr; stainless (18 percent chromium)
3.50-5.50 Ni; 2.50-4.50 Cu; 0.15-0.45 Cb+
Ta; Fe balance is more corrosion resistant than
Custom 450® 0.05 C max; 14.00-16.00 Cr; 5.00-7.00 Ni; 145 1000 155 1069 Type 410 stainless (12 percent
(S45000) 1.00 Mn max; 1.00 Si max; 0.03 P max;
0.03 S max; 0.50-1.00 Mo; 1.25-1.75 Cu;
chromium).
Cb (8 x C min)
For more significant improvement
Custom 455® 0.05 C max; 0.50 Mn max; 0.040 P max; 150 1034 160 1103
(S45500) 0.030 S max; 0.50 Si max; 11.00/17.50 in corrosion resistance, a switch to
Cr;7.50/9.50 Ni; 0.80/1.40 Ti; 0.10/0.50 Co
and Ta; 1.50/2.50 Cu; 0.50 Mo max the AISI 300 series is required.
Custom 630 0.07 C max; 15.50-17.50 Cr; 3.00/5.00 Ni; 150 1034 160 1103 Nickel is the important alloying
(17Cr-4Ni) 3.00/5.00 Cu; Cb+Ta 0.15-0.45; 1.00 Mn
(S17400) max; 0.04 P max; 0.03 S max; 1.00 Si max element in the 300 series, which
PH13-8Mo* 0.05 C max; 0.10 Mn max; 0.01 P max; 150 1034 165 1138 includes types such as Custom Flo
(S13800) 0.008 S max; 0.10 Si max; 12.25-13.25 302HQ, 304 and 305 stainless
Cr; 7.50-8.50 Ni max; 0.90-1.35 Al; 2.00-
2.50 Mo; 0.01 N max steels.
440C 0.95/1.20 C; 1.00 Mn max; 0.040 P max; 115 793 135 931
(S44004) 0.03 S max; 1.00 Si max; 16.00/18.00 Cr;
0.75 Mo max
*Trademark of Armco, Inc.

Fig. 20 Analysis and properties of the most commonly headed stainless alloys.
Each group is listed in order from easiest to form to most difficult to form.
These grades are the 18-8 stainless
High Temperature/Specialty Alloys
steels, containing about 18 percent
Properties are typical for batch annealed product. Strand annealed properties are higher.
chromium and a minimum of 8
Typical maximum Typical maximum
percent nickel. They are austenitic tensile strength tensile strength
as annealed 5% cold worked
and nonhardenable by heat treat- Alloy
(UNS No.) Alloying Elements ksi MPa ksi MPa
ment, but do work harden by cold
Ni-Cu 0.3 C max; 2.0 Mn max; 0.5 Si max; 75 517 84 579
working. Molybdenum may be Alloy 0.024 S max; 63.0/70.0 Ni; 2.50 Fe max;
(N04400) Cu balance
added for greater resistance to chlo-
Pyromet® 0.08 C max; 2.00 Mn max; 1.00 Si max; 95* 655 95* 655
ride pitting (Type 316). Still other A-286 13.50/16.00 Cr; 24.00/27.00 Ni; 1.00/1.75
(K66286) Mo; 1.90/2.30 Ti; 0.10/.50 Va; 0.35 Al
alloying elements may be added to max; 0.003/0.010 B; Fe balance
enhance the alloys’ fabrication char- Pyromet 718 0.08 C max; 0.35 Mn max; 0.35 Si max; 120* 827 135* 931
acteristics. For example, Custom (N00718) 0.015 P max; 0.015 S max; 17.00/21.00
Cr; 50.00/55.00 Ni + Co; 1.00 Co max;
Flo 302HQ contains 3 to 4 percent 2.80/3.30 Mo; 4.75/5.50 Cb + Ta;
0.65/1.15 Ti; 0.35/0.80 Al; 0.001/0.006 B;
copper, which lowers the alloy’s 0.15 Cu max; Fe balance
work hardening rate and thus Waspaloy 0.02/0.10 C; 0.50 Mn max; 0.75 Si max; 130* 896 140* 965
(N07001) 0.020 S max; 18.00/21.00 Cr; 3.50/5.00
improves headability. Mo; 12.00/15.00 Co; 2.75/3.25
Ti;1.20/1.50 Al; 0.02/0.12 Zr; 0.003/0.008
A recent alternative to 18-8 B; 0.10 Cu max; 2.00 Fe max; Ni balance

stainless is Type 204-Cu. This 200 Pyromet 882 0.40 C; 1.00 Si; 5.00 Cr; 1.50 Mo; 0.40 V; 95 655 100 689
(T20881) Fe balance
series austenitic alloy is a low-nickel *Dependent upon grain size and heat treated mechanical property requirements.
alternative to Type 304. Although
properties are similar to that of
Type 304, this alloy’s cost is virtually unaffected by fluctuations in market Fig. 21 Analysis and properties of the
nickel prices. The alloy contains 3 percent copper which significantly most commonly headed high tempera-
ture/specialty alloys. Each group is
lowers its work hardening rate and improves headability. The high
listed in order from easiest to form
nitrogen content is necessary to maintain the austenite structure and to most difficult to form.
results in a higher annealed yield and tensile strength than Type 304.

Another stainless steel category covers the age-hardening or

precipitation-hardening alloys such as Custom 450® stainless,
Custom 455® stainless and Custom 630 (17Cr-4Ni) stainless. They Fig. 22 Popular cold headable
provide corrosion resistance at a strength level unavailable in the stainless steels have these typical
300 or 400 series stainless steels. work hardening rates.

A separate group comprises the high tempera-

Rate of Work Hardening of Popular Cold Headable Stainless Steels
ture alloys. Included in this classification are 200
grades such as Pyromet® Alloy 718, Pyromet (1310)
180
Alloy A-286 and Waspaloy. These alloys, like the 30
5
(1172) pe 2H
Q
Ty
Tensile Strength ksi (MPa)

precipitation-hardening grades, involve much 160 30

Flo
m
more specialized heading techniques and require (1034) sto
Cu
140
considerably more energy to head. . 10
No
(896)
120 0
Another material used in specialized applications e 41
Typ
(758) 40
3
is Carpenter Ni-Cu alloy 400. This is an alloy with Type
100
relatively high strength and toughness over a (620)
80
wide temperature range. Ni-Cu alloy 400, with its (453)
very low work hardening rate, is easy to head.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Percent Cold Work

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 19

 Typical max. tensile,
Determining Headability
5% cold work Typical work Heading, of course, is forming the head on a fastener
Alloy ksi MPa hardening rate*
by upsetting. Headability is determined by the alloy’s
430 86 593 0.7
410 90 621 0.9
mechanical properties and work hardening rate which,
No. 10 83 572 1.4
in turn, reflects the rate at which those mechanical
302HQ 83 572 1.5
properties are increased by cold working.
305 93 641 1.5 Tensile strength alone is not indicative of headability
316 95 655 1.6 because two different alloys with the same annealed
304 95 655 1.6
tensile strength may have different work hardening rates.
304 Mod. 100 689 1.8
If the two materials are cold worked by inline drawing,
204-Cu 110 758 1.6
the one with the higher work hardening rate will end up
*Increase in tensile strength (ksi) for each percent with a higher yield and tensile strength. Thus it will be
of reduction of area through cold working.
more difficult to head because more force will be required
to shape the part.
Fig. 23 Relative headability of
common stainless steels based
Headability depends heavily on the ratio of yield strength to ultimate
on typical maximum tensile tensile strength. Yield strength must be exceeded before material flow
strength and work hardening rates. can occur, but the ultimate tensile strength cannot be exceeded or the
part will crack.

An alloy’s chemical composition determines its work hardening rate.

The compositions and properties of the headable stainless steels and high
temperature alloys are shown in Figures 20 and 21, in descending order
from easiest to head to most difficult to head.

Stainless grades in the 400 series cold head much like carbon and low
alloy steels. Type 430 stainless is the easiest to head, and Type 440-C
stainless the most difficult. Although Ni-Cu 400 alloy is shown under the
High Temperature/Specialty Alloys section, its headability is comparable
to that of Type 430 stainless.

The 300 series provides more challenges than the 400 series since alloys
in the 300 group have a higher work hardening rate (Figures 22 and 23).
Stainless steels in the 300 series require more energy to head than those
in the 400 series. Carpenter No. 10 stainless and Custom Flo 302HQ
stainless have the lowest work hardening rates of the 300 series steels,
and therefore are the easiest to head.

Although Type 304 Modified is less headable than Type 304, its high work
hardening rate is an asset for fasteners requiring high strength threads.
Type 304 Modified can be cold worked to about Rc 40-45. The alloy has
been used in construction type fasteners.

As might be expected, the precipitation-hardening stainless steels

and high temperature alloys are generally more difficult to head due
to alloying elements that impart overall greater strength at cold working
temperatures.

In the case of PH stainless steels, optimum formability is usually obtained

if the material is used in the overaged condition. For example,

20 CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING

Custom 630 (17Cr-4Ni)
Relative Corrosion Resistance and Headability of Popular
stainless has the lowest Stainless Steels and High Temperature/Specialty Alloys
yield strength and tensile
strength and therefore best 409Cb
Ni-Cu 400
Type 430
formability when in the
H1150M condition. Material Type 410 No. 10
▲ TrimRite®
Custom wo
processed by this method Alloy
302HQ
must be subsequently solu-
tion treated before aging to Type 305

get maximum tensile Type 316

Type 304
strength. Type 204-Cu
Type 321
Type 431 Type 347
Some stainless steels are 20Cb-3® Alloy

Pyromet® A-286
made that offer cold 302HQ-FM ®
Alloy
headers maximum fabrica-
Increasing Headability

15-7PH
bility characteristics for Project 7000 Alloy ®
Pyromet® 718
Alloy
Waspaloy
15Cr-5Ni
components that require Custom 450 Alloy ®

Custom 455 Custom 630

®

Type 440C
secondary operations like Pyromet 882
Alloy
®
PH13-8 Mo*

Alloy
machining. Carpenter
302HQ-FM stainless is a
®
Increasing Corrosion Resistance

▲
good example of how cer- *Trademark of Armco, Inc.

tain grades can be modified

to meet specific property requirements. This alloy combines the head- Fig. 24 Relative corrosion resistance
ability of Type 302HQ stainless with the free-machining benefits of and headability characteristics of
Type 303 stainless. commonly headed stainless steels
and high temperature/specialty alloys.
It can be cold headed into a variety of parts, then easily machined in
secondary operations like drilling, slotting and tapping.

Type 409Cb has been extensively used in the automotive industry for
muffler hangers and brackets, antenna wire, catalytic converter weld
wire and in oxygen sensor components. Type 409Cb-FM, a free-
machining variation, has been used where secondary machining
operations are required.

Advances in steel making technology now make it possible to modify

composition and processes to meet more specific application needs. When
such modification is desired, the usual caveat applies: the volume of usage
must justify the necessary developmental work.

Selection Method
To simplify selection of the best alloy for a heading job, Carpenter has
developed a proprietary method which plots relative corrosion resistance
and headability of the materials most commonly used. Figure 24 shows a
diagram which positions 16 stainless steels and high temperature alloys in
accordance with these two key characteristics.

Using this diagram, simply move up for better headability, or to the right
for better corrosion resistance. The drawing indicates that Type 430 stain-

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 21

 less and Ni-Cu alloy 400 have the best headability, while Waspaloy has the
highest corrosion resistance. No. 10 and Custom Flo 302HQ offer a good
combination of headability and corrosion resistance.

It should be noted that there are trade-offs in the selection process

because each application should be treated as a unique situation. When
considering costs, the best choice is the lowest cost alloy that will provide
the properties needed.

Relative corrosion resistance shown on the diagram should only be used

as a general guide. For corrosion resistance to specific environments,
consult with the alloy supplier. In general, if corrosion resistance is
relatively similar, the header should select the alloy with the best
combination of headability and cost.

Typical Uses
Starting at the top of the chart in Figure 20, and referring also to the
diagram in Figure 24, Type 430 offers the best formability of all the
stainless steels, with slightly less corrosion resistance than Type 304.
Its formability is similar to that of low alloy steels which are easy to
head. Type 430 has been used for many types of fasteners and bolts.

Type 410 is a hardenable stainless steel with the same tensile strength
capability as Type 431 when heat treated. It is less corrosion resistant
than Type 431, and has been used most often for sheet metal screws,
bolts and fasteners exposed to atmospheric conditions.

TrimRite® stainless, which has been used for self-drilling construction

fasteners, has better corrosion resistance than 410, the strength of 420
and corrosion resistance equal to 430.

No. 10 (Type 384) stainless and Custom Flo 302HQ stainless offer
excellent headability and corrosion resistance for severely formed parts.
No. 10, which has high nickel content, remains nonmagnetic after cold
working. The 302HQ alloy, which will be slightly magnetic after cold work,
is more readily available than No. 10.

The 302HQ-FM® stainless is a machinable modification of 302HQ that

is suitable for both heading and subsequent machining. It has been run
in bar form on automatic screw machines to produce parts where thread
rolling or cold form tapping operations are critical.

Type 305 stainless has been used for severely formed parts and fasteners
made in multiple heading stages. In addition to its good formability, the
alloy is also useful for parts that must remain nonmagnetic after cold
working. Type 305 stainless resists corrosion by severe atmospheres,
nitric acid and foodstuffs.

Type 316 stainless, an easily formed alloy, has superior corrosion

resistance and resistance to pitting corrosion in particular. It has
been used to make fasteners for the chemical process industries.

22 CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING

Type 304 stainless, which has been used frequently for fasteners with sim-
ple head designs, resists severe corrosion and corrodents such as nitric
acid. Type 304 modified has been used extensively for construction type
fasteners. Composition can be adjusted also to reduce the work hardening
rate for fasteners that require more severe forming.

Type 204-Cu should be considered for applications where high strength

and good formability are required. The alloy can be considered in fastener
applications that currently use Type 304. Two other advantages of Type
204-Cu are that fasteners remain nonmagnetic after cold forming and
they are less susceptible to galling than fasteners formed from high nickel
300 series alloys.

Type 431 can be heat treated to higher strength than Type 304; however,
Type 431 has slightly inferior corrosion resistance. This alloy possesses
the best corrosion resistance of all the hardenable grades and has been
used for marine fasteners and aircraft fasteners requiring corrosion
resistance and toughness.

Types 321 and 347 are also austenitic stainless steels that can be cold
formed. They resist corrosion and heat, and have been used for aircraft
fasteners at 800˚ to 1500˚F (427˚ to 816˚C).

Consider using Carpenter 20Cb-3® stainless for fasteners or parts that

need resistance to chloride corrosion cracking, hot sulfuric acid and/or
many aggressive environments that readily attack Type 316 stainless.
This alloy is readily formed and upset.

If more strength is needed than that obtainable in an alloy such as

Type 431 stainless, one of three martensitic stainless steels with high
tensile strength may be considered. The trade-off with all three is less
formability and availability.

Custom 450 stainless is an age hardenable steel which can be used in

solution annealed condition. It has the very good corrosion resistance
characteristics of Type 304 stainless and good strength characteristics.

Custom 455 stainless is a similar material to Custom 450 stainless, but

offers somewhat higher strength levels. It has a hardness capability level
of approximately Rc 50.

Custom 630 (17Cr-4Ni) stainless is a precipitation hardenable steel

offering high strength and hardness with excellent corrosion resistance.
Its strength level is similar to that of Custom 455 stainless.

15Cr-5Ni stainless is a martensitic age-hardenable stainless with similar

strength and corrosion resistance to that of Custom 630 stainless, but
with improved forgeability and transverse toughness.

15-7PH stainless is a precipitation hardening stainless which is more easi-

ly formed in the annealed condition because of its austenitic structure,
but capable of high strength via cold working and/or thermal treatment
to a martensitic structure.

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 23

 Type 440C stainless, the most difficult of all stainless
250
Custom 455® Stainless
alloys to head, obtains its hardenability and high tensile
225 strength through heat treatment. It has been used
primarily in applications where balls are headed for
Tensile Strength, 1000 ksi

200
stainless bearings.
Waspaloy Pyromet® Alloy 718
175

150 High Temperature and Other Specialty

Alloy Applications
125
Pyromet ®
More and more cold headers are becoming involved
100
Alloy A-286 with high temperature and other specialty alloys for
fasteners. Initial use of these alloys was for aircraft
75
800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 applications, but today they are being used in many
Temperature (˚F)
other industries. One example is the automotive
industry and its drive to reduce the weight of vehicles.
Fig. 25 Curves for four high temperature High strength materials permit the use of smaller bolts without sacrificing
alloys illustrate how tensile strength strength. Energy exploration with its harsh environments also demands
varies with temperature. Heat-resistant alloys which can withstand high temperatures and possess high levels of
alloys such as these exhibit high tensile
strength.
strength at elevated temperatures.
Many of these alloys are quite cold-formable despite their initial high
strength levels. Carpenter offers these alloys in their lowest strength form
for maximum cold formability in either the overaged or solution-treated
condition. Maximum requirements for part integrity and fatigue life can
be met with Carpenter’s seam-free products.

In heading the precipitation hardening and high temperature alloys, it is

necessary to establish a controlled flow pattern in the first deformation to
avoid excessive initial hardening. While alloys such as Pyromet® alloy 718
and Waspaloy will work harden in the formed areas to approximately
Rc 50 to 56 during final forming, other alloys such as Pyromet alloy A-286
and Custom 455 stainless have been designed for less rapid work harden-
ing. They will harden to only about Rc 36 to 45 in the final forming step.

Warm and hot heading techniques are often used to improve the form-
ability of the high temperature alloys. Aircraft engine bolts have been cold
formed from alloys such as Pyromet alloy 718 and Waspaloy. As an alloy
with good mechanical properties to 1300˚F (704˚C), Pyromet alloy 718
has been useful for high temperature fasteners.

In another example, design engineers for a nuclear fusion test reactor

chose Pyromet alloy 718 and Pyromet alloy A-286 for high strength,
close tolerance fasteners to position and hold down compression plates
separating the torroid’s field coils.

Successful thread rolling of these large diameter fasteners—11/4" to 21/4"

sizes—in the age hardened condition was accomplished by the fastener
producer who selected Pyromet alloy 718 for its high strength and non-
magnetic properties. Carpenter supplied the alloy in an age-hardened
condition with a strength of 200 ksi (1379 MPa). The customer was able

24 CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING

to thread roll the large fasteners (studs with a drive hole in one end) at
a hardness of Rc 44 to 46 using modifications to the company’s existing
equipment and manufacturing methods (Figure 26). In addition to pro-
ducing the largest fastener size ever thread rolled by a customer using
Pyomet alloy 718, the customer also produced spanner nuts from
Pyromet alloy A-286 for the fusion reactor. While this is a highly unusual
application, it demonstrates the success being achieved in cold working
such alloys.

Waspaloy (AISI Type 685) has been used in gas turbine engine parts that
require considerable strength and corrosion resistance up to 1600˚F
(871˚C). While more difficult to cold form than Type 316 stainless, Fig. 26 These large fasteners that were
produced from Pyromet® alloy 718
Waspaloy can be cold headed. Tensile strength ranges from about 110
exemplify the formability of high
to 140 ksi (758 to 965 MPa) depending on the grade and the condition temperature alloys.
in which it is supplied.

Similar opportunities exist with other high temperature alloys and precipi-
tation hardening stainless grades, such as Carpenter 15-7PH, Carpenter
PH 13-8 Mo alloy (a trademark of Armco, Inc.), Custom 630 (17Cr-4Ni)
and Pyromet alloy A-286. Pyromet alloy A-286, for example, has been
used for bolts to hold superchargers on engines and to fasten together
small instrumentation packages for energy exploration that can withstand
harsher environments and elevated temperatures.

Custom 630 and PH 13-8 Mo alloys both have good fabricating character-
istics and can be age-hardened by a single low temperature treatment.
PH 13-8 Mo alloy, compared to other ferrous-base materials, offers a high
level of useful mechanical properties under severe environmental condi-
tions. Pyromet alloy 41 possesses high strength in the 1200˚ to 1800˚F
(649˚ to 982˚C) temperature range. It has been designed for severely
stressed high temperature applications.

Another alloy, Pyromet alloy 882 (AISI Type H-11), has solved many cold
working applications where extra toughness was required at the sacrifice
of some wear resistance. This steel has also been used as aircraft struc-
tural material for critical components in aircraft and missiles. It can be
used at very high strength levels, some in excess of 260 ksi (1793 MPa).

Of all the materials in this category, NiCu alloy 400 is easiest to form. Its
headability relative to other alloys can be seen in Figure 24. Its analysis
and strength properties are shown in Figures 20 and 21. NiCu alloy 400,
used at temperatures up to 800˚F (427˚C), has excellent corrosion resis-
tance to seawater, and is virtually immune to chloride stress corrosion
cracking. Its very low work hardening rate makes it easy to form. The
material has been used extensively for rivets.

Classification Systems
Headers sometimes may be misled by terms such as “stainless fastener”
or “high strength fastener.” Orders which specify these broad terms tend

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 25

 to be ambiguous since there are
Stainless Steels
many alloys to choose from. Each
Producer Military/
UNS Designation AISI ASTM ASME AMS SAE Federal offers a specific set of properties in
S43000 430 Type 430 A493, 580 5627 J-405 QQ-S-763 the finished product.
QQ-W-423
Std. 66 Disappointment most likely awaits
S41000 410 Type 410 A193,194, SA 194 5613 J-405 QQ-S-763
493, 580 J-412 QQ-W-423
the header who tries to substitute
S42010
®
TrimRite Alloy
one stainless or high temperature
S43100 431 Type 431 A493 alloy for another in an attempt to
S38400 No.10 Type 384 A493 gain lower raw material costs, faster
S30430 302HQ A493 production or other advantages.
S30500 305 Type 305 A313,368. SA 193, 5685, 5686 J-405 QQ-S-763 If the fasteners must be non-
478, 492, 194, 320 QQ-W-423
493, 580
magnetic, for example, neither
S31600 316 Type 316 Numerous SA 193,194, 5648, 5690 J-405 QQ-S-763
Type 430 nor Type 410 stainless
320, 403 5691 QQ-W-423 steels can be used despite their
S30400 304 Type 304 A493 5639 J-405
304 Modified
excellent formability.
304 Forming
Quality Much effort has been devoted to
S20430 204-Cu A313 making the alloy choice easier
®
N08020 20Cb-3 Alloy B471, 473, through increased specification
475
®
standards. In the broad sense, the
S45000 Custom 450 A564 5763
Alloy Unified Numbering System (UNS)
S17400 Custom 630 A564 SA 564 5643 represents an attempt to establish
S45500 Custom 455
®
A313, 564 SA 564 5617, 5672 a universal method for classifying
Alloy
alloys.
S44004 440C Type 440-C A493, 580 5618, 5630 J-405 QQ-S-763
Such a system is necessary, for ex-
High Temperature/Specialty Alloys
ample, when you examine Figure 27
Producer Military/
UNS Designation AISI ASTM ASME AMS SAE Federal and see how many specifications
N07718 718 5662 cover one alloy. This table lists the
S66286 A-286 5731, 5732, basic headable stainless steels and
5734, 5735,
5736, 5737, high temperature alloys, and shows
N07001 Waspaloy 5708 how each grade is specified accord-
N04400 Ni-Cu 400 QQ-N-281 ing to several classification systems.

Fig. 27 Classification systems

In a further attempt at standardiza-
for popular stainless steels and tion, the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has devel-
high temperature/specialty alloys. oped specifications for stainless steel. F593 is for bolts, hex cap screws
and studs; F594 is for nuts; and F738 for metric bolts, screws and studs.

Numerous stainless grades are included in the ASTM specifications.

While these ASTM fastener standards do not include all headable
stainless alloys, they do provide broad coverage and include stainless
grades used to produce machined fasteners.

Specifications such as F593, F594 and F738 are designed to place

general limits on stainless alloys, classifying them by the percentage
and types of elements included in each alloy’s composition. Specifications,
however, by their very nature are not always the last word.

26 CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING

For example, seven headable stainless grades—Types 430, 410, No. 10,
305, 316, 304 and 440C—meet the Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE) specifications for cold finished annealed wire. Those specifications
are insufficient to guide selection when considering the obviously wide
gulf between the corrosion resistance of Type 410 and Type 316 stainless.
Selection of the proper alloy must depend upon the corrosion resistance
and strength level demanded by the particular application.

When considering a stainless steel for a forming application, the user

should always refer to ASTM specification A493 for wire feedstock.
For the header, it is the most useful guide for specifying wire because
it gives each alloy’s chemical composition and mechanical properties.
Assuring the composition and properties defined is the natural
responsibility of the wire supplier.

Summary
If no material specifications are provided, the heading shop or department
can select the proper stainless steel or high temperature alloy for a job by
considering the following factors in the order presented:

1. Determine the required corrosion resistance.

2. Determine the required strength, factoring in the effects of cold

working and heat treatment.

3. After narrowing the choice with the preceding criteria, determine

which alloy has the best headability.

4. Make certain the alloy you want is readily available.

5. Don’t overlook the part or fastener complexity, or the importance

of the heading wire coating.

Use the diagram in Figure 24 to determine the relative corrosion resis-

tance and headability of candidate alloys. Refer also to the chart in
Figures 20 and 21 to evaluate the easiest-to-most-difficult alloys to head,
and assess their relative strengths. Contact Carpenter for assistance in
selecting the right alloy, or modifying one for optimum job performance.

Finally, do check industry specifications that apply and, by all means,

refer to the important ASTM specifications A493 for wire feedstock.

Wire Quality and Selection

Even with proper grade selection, the quality of a finished part can only
be as good as the raw material from which it was produced.

Like the term “stainless fastener,” the term “stainless wire” is also am-
biguous. Carpenter, for example, can supply headers with an almost infinite
variety of wire stock in numerous conditions and with various coatings.

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 27

 Product Forms
Carpenter manufactures three basic wire product forms in addition to
specially finished wire or rod for special applications. The three basic
forms include:

1. Annealed and Cold Drawn to Finish Heading Wire

2. Cold Drawn and Annealed at Finish Heading Wire
3. Hot Rolled and Annealed at Finish Rod.

The following is a discussion of the advantages or disadvantages of each.

Annealed and Cold Drawn to Finish Heading Wire is raw material in the
Standard Size Tolerances for
Cold Drawn Heading Wire finished condition. It is available in all sizes up to about 1.00" (25.4 mm)
Size Range Tolerance
in diameter. See the following table for specific size tolerances (Figure
Up to 0.312” diameter ±0.001”
28). Wire in this condition offers substantial surface integrity and the
0.312”– 0.499” diameter ±0.0015”
widest range of mill coatings. This product typically does not require
0.500” diameter ±0.002” additional sizing prior to entering the header.
Note: Half-standard tolerances may be ordered. Cold Drawn and Annealed at Finish Heading Wire supplied cold reduced,
annealed and coated. It offers the lowest mechanical properties and is
Fig. 28 suitable for redraw or heading. This product should be sized prior to
entering the header. Cold drawn, annealed product is available in all sizes
up to about 1.00" (25.4 mm) in diameter. Tolerances are double those
available on annealed and cold drawn wire.

STARR (Stainless Annealed Ready for Redraw) WIRE® is a modification

of the basic cold drawn and annealed at finish form. Its manufacturing
sequence typically includes additional operations to enhance surface
quality. It is available in only a few stainless grades and is typically
supplied with a cross sectional area about 5 percent over the cross
sectional area of the finish drawn product.

Hot Rolled and Annealed at Finish Rod is the least finished condition
Standard Rod Tolerances
and must be sized prior to entering the header. It is supplied annealed,
Size Range Tolerance
descaled and coated. Of the three wire forms, rod has the roughest sur-
0.221”– 0.4375” ±0.006”
face and the widest tolerances. Rod is available in a size range from about
0.453”– 0.625” ±0.007”
7/32" to 1 1/4" diameter. Tolerances may be as great as ±0.010" with a maxi-
0.641”– 0.875” ±0.008”
mum of 0.015" out of round in the larger diameters (Figure 29).
0.891”–1.000” ±0.009”
1.000”–1.250” ±0.010” To reduce wire inventories and the number of wire sizes purchased, some
headers draw wire or rod in front of the header with obvious savings.
Fig. 29
Seam Free Wire, in addition to these standard products, offers the
ultimate in product reliability when required. Seam free wire—from which
the hot mill surface has been mechanically removed—is available. This
product is generally polished, annealed and cold drawn subsequent to
the surface removal process.

See the following section, “Which Wire Product Form?,” for more detailed
information about the advantages and disadvantages of the Hot Rolled
and Annealed at finish Wire product form.

28 CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING

Which Wire Product Form?
In an effort to reduce wire inventories and the number of wire sizes
purchased, some headers draw semi-finished wire or hot rod in front
of the header with obvious savings. However, semi-finished wire also has
some disadvantages. It is available in a limited number of grades and sizes.
In addition, its properties may not be suitable for all applications. A case
in point is too much draw down, which results in an unacceptable work
hardening, makes forming difficult, if not impossible.

While hot rod is the lowest-cost wire stock, this may or may not be an
advantage. Many fabricators report that hot rod necessitates the addition
of more in-house capabilities. When redrawing hot rod, scrap losses
generally increase and this presents overall quality control problems that
often negate initial raw material savings.

The best alternative for most headers is the use of wire which has been
cold finished, if supplied by the producer ready to go into the header, or
requiring only a slight draw prior to fabrication. A key benefit to users
of cold finished wire is that the wire producer assumes the responsibility,
not only for chemistry, but also for mechanical properties and size toler-
ances. When redrawing hot rod in front of the header, the fabricator
assumes these responsibilities.

Finally, another concern expressed by headers is inconsistent raw

material. It cannot be stressed enough that the heading process is made
much easier with raw material that is consistent and uniform from lot to
lot. Since specifications for standard grades permit wide ranges of alloy
content in the analyses, it is important to select a wire producer that
melts to narrower ranges, specifically for cold heading applications.
In this way, the header is assured that each lot of material will have
the same heading characteristics.

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 29

 Cold Finished Stainless Wire Offers Numerous Advantages
The trend toward reduced inventories, increasingly complex design
configurations and financial concern in the heading industry necessitates
the consideration of cold finished wire for most stainless steel applications
and virtually all high temperature alloy cold formed components. Cold
finished wire is ready for the header when it comes through the door.
This benefits both the experienced and inexperienced headers. Fabri-
cators with expertise in heading the tougher alloys can benefit from cold
finished wire because it allows them to concentrate only on the produc-
tion of finished parts and not redrawing wire. Fabricators with little
stainless steel heading experience have found that cold finished wire helps
to make a smoother transition from carbon steels to stainless steels.

The advantages of cold finished wire are numerous:

1. Tolerances—Cold finished wire has the tightest tolerance of all forms.

Hot rod tolerance in the larger diameters is ±0.009" compared to only
±0.002" for annealed cold finished wire.

2. Processing—The manufacturing sequence for cold finished wire tends

to eliminate metallurgically unsound wire based mainly on the num-
ber of extra inspections. Uniform, consistent lot-to-lot properties are
achievable with premium melting, repeated working and annealing,
relatively heavy cold reduction (25 to 30 percent) and closely con-
trolled thermal cycles. Cold finished wire is supplied in its most cold
formable state.

3. Quality Level—Permissible levels for laps, seams, nonconcentricity or

overfills are obviously less for cold finished wire compared to hot rod
or semi-finished product. Better quality translates into less scrap. One
heading firm reported that scrap losses increased from one percent
with cold finished wire to three percent for less finished wire.

4. Controllable Properties—Cold finished wire has narrow standard

or custom tensile strength maximums. Surface finishes are uniform;
proper coatings complement cold finished wire’s predictable
properties in the finished part.

5. Better Coils—Cold drawing provides a better coil package.

6. Availability—Cold finished wire is more readily available than hot rod

or semi-finished wire through general or custom warehouse inventory,
and standard or custom mill ordering. In addition to being stocked
in the most popular headable stainless steels and high temperature
alloys, cold finished wire is accessible in any stainless alloy specified
for heading. STARR WIRE®, or semifinished wire, by comparison, is
available in only four grades. The minimum poundage order is less
for cold finished wire than other forms.

30 CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING

7. Fabricator Benefits—Cold finished wire minimizes tool wear;
it does not have to be drawn and exhibits uniform fabricability
characteristics. Typical yield losses encountered in drawing are
eliminated for the header. Controlled cut-off is more precise. Since
hot rod tends to produce more rejected components, cold finished
wire complements robotic or automatic material handling systems.

There are obvious material cost savings when purchasing hot rod or
semi-finished wire as opposed to fully cold finished wire, ready for
heading. But the apparent savings may be deceiving. Many fabricators
have found the savings elusive due to yield losses stemming from in-line
drawing. Scrap losses are higher and the parts per pound of wire decrease
when switching from cold finished wire to hot rod. In-line drawing of hot
rod also demands a stepped-up quality control program.

CHAPTER 2 | SELECTING ALLOYS FOR HEADING 31

 Chapter 3
Coatings and Lubricants

Introduction
Proper lubrication is extremely important to the successful heading
of stainless steels, high temperature alloys and other specialty metals.
Whether it’s the low level upsetting of an easily headable grade such
as Type 410, or heavy extrusion (greater than a 20 percent reduction
in area) of a high temperature alloy such as Pyromet alloy A-286, a basic
knowledge of coatings and lubricants helps prevent subsequent fabrica-
tion difficulties like galling, die seizing or tooling failure. In this chapter
coatings are defined as materials applied to the wire at the mill; lubricants
are defined as materials applied by the fabricator during heading.

During the last several years, many improvements have occurred in

headable stainless steels and high temperature alloys. Tighter analysis
control, special additions and improved melting and manufacturing
methods employed by Carpenter are responsible for the improved
headability of stainless steels. At the same time, equipment, such as
complex multi-station headers, has increased the ability of wire and
rod processors to head even the toughest alloys. Similar advances have
occurred with coatings and lubricants. Carpenter offers perhaps the
widest variety of standard and custom coatings in the steel industry.
Carpenter has developed a logical alpha-numeric coding system to
identify them. This system is covered later in this chapter.

Carpenter’s coating capabilities complement the production of uniform,

consistent stainless steel cold heading wire in the following forms:
annealed cold finished heading wire, cold finished annealed heading wire,
STARR WIRE® (Stainless Annealed Ready for Redraw) and hot rod. When
you consider the number of headable stainless grades, their available
product forms and the variety of coatings offered, it’s obvious that many
combinations are possible to match cold forming applications.

What are Coatings?

Coatings are substances applied to the wire by electroplating, dipping,
or drawing at the mill. Electroplated copper is the most popular
Carpenter coating, and the most versatile as it can be used in combination
with all other coatings. The variety of available combinations will provide
lubrication for most forming operations, including the most severe upsets
and/or extrusions.

Lime and precoat are dried particulate coatings which act as carriers
for drawing lubricants and as boundary lubricants in forming operations.
These particles can be affected by moisture or be removed by simple
handling. For maximum coating adherence, it is recommended that
the wire be given a light draft in drawing soap to seal and protect these
coatings.
32 CHAPTER 3 | COATINGS AND LUBRICANTS
Ecolube® II alloy, Moly overcoat, and Carpenter’s new KnightCote™ are a
special type of dry particulate coatings known as layer lattice compounds.
The ability of these particles to shear and slide under tremendous loads,
and at elevated temperatures, provides a mechanism for lubrication dur-
ing the most difficult forming applications. These coatings are put on wire
stocks by special proprietary application methods. Drawing after coating,
either with or without added soap, will also improve the adherence of
these layer lattice compounds.

The most common drawing compounds for wire products are stearate
type soaps. Molybdenum disulfide containing soaps can be specified for
more severe forming applications. Oils and greases can be used where
a lighter residual coating is required. Wire coated with Ecolube II alloy,
Moly overcoat, and Carpenter’s new KnightCote can be drawn without
added soap or grease. In special applications, other drawing compounds
may be able to be used, but customers should check with their Carpenter
representative to determine the availability and costs for these products.

Why Use Coatings?

The heading process includes upsetting, extruding and forming, or a
combination of these. The process requires great pressure that generates
high temperatures because of tremendous internal and external friction.
Without sufficient lubrication, the heading process would run metal
against metal, literally welding the wire to the die. Excessive die wear,
galling or seizing may occur. Heavy, or combination, coatings are required
for severe heading operations because the greater pressure means more
friction, higher heat and, therefore, more rapid breakdown of the coating.

Coatings simply act to reduce friction in the heading operation by

providing a film that prevents metal-to-metal contact. Since stainless
steels and high temperature alloys are generally more difficult to form
than carbon or lesser alloyed metals, coatings are a key factor in the fabri-
cation process. A low carbon steel, for example, may require only a light
machine oil application during heading, while stainless steels need more
durable coatings, such as copper, Ecolube II alloy, or a precoat and soap.

Which Is the Right Coating?

Choice of the proper coating is heavily influenced by the specific applica-
tion. However, there are general considerations. The type of coating
required depends largely on the alloy being formed, the degree of cold
work needed, the temperature generated by the heading process, and
the complexity of the part being formed. Additional factors influencing
coating selection include availability and cost, compatibility with other
mill coatings or fabricator lubricants, and the ease of coating removal
from the finished parts.

CHAPTER 3 | COATINGS AND LUBRICANTS 33

 As mentioned earlier, for many years the most effective coating for
stainless steel heading wire has been an electrolytically plated copper
layer plus lime and soap drawn on during the final light draft made in
finishing the wire. Today, however, coatings such as Carpenter’s Ecolube II
alloy are becoming increasingly popular because they eliminate the
problems associated with disposal of cleaning acids containing metal ions.
A key point to remember is that Carpenter, as a leading producer of stain-
less heading wire and rod and a variety of coatings, is totally equipped to
help customers with coatings selection, as well as all other aspects of
cold heading operations.

Carpenter’s Coating System Helps

Pinpoint Proper Formulation
Coating classes are determined by selecting a coating option designated
by a letter and a drawing option designated by a number (Figure 30).

This is typically referred to as Carpenter’s Alpha-Numeric Coating

Classification System. The coating and drawing options are as follows:

Alpha-Numeric Coating Classification System

Must choose one coating option and one drawing option.

Fig. 30 When copper plating is ordered Coating Options (Alpha) Drawing Options (Numeric)
on wire up to 0.327” diameter, appro-
A Uncoated 1 Undrawn (Annealed at finish)
priate alloys will be strand plated.
B Lime 2 Drawn in Soap
Larger diameters and all sizes of high-
C Precoat 3 Drawn in Grease
strength alloys such as Waspaloy alloy, ®
F Ecolube II Alloy 4 Drawn in Molybdenum
Pyromet® 718 alloy, and Custom 630
H Copper + Lime Disulfide-Bearing Soap
stainless will be batch plated. Copper
K Copper 5 Drawn Without Soap or Grease
thickness will be about 100 micro
L Copper + Precoat (Only Coatings F, N, O, R, S)
inches (0.0001”) on all wire 0.100”
N Copper + Moly Overcoat 6 Special
diameter and larger. The thickness on
O Copper + Ecolube II Alloy
wire <0.100” diameter will be about 75
P Special
micro inches (0.000075”). Other copper
R KnightCote™
thicknesses are available upon request.
S Copper + KnightCote

34 CHAPTER 3 | COATINGS AND LUBRICANTS

Using Lubricants During Heading
The standard cold heading lubricant is lubricating oil with extreme
pressure additives such as sulfur, chlorine or neutral animal fat. It is
most often a combination of sulfurized fat and a chlorinated additive
and is available from a number of suppliers. Lubrication during heading,
of course, is vital in reducing die wear, promoting good finishes, and
eliminating galling, seizing and scratching by preventing pick-ups on
the die. To do this, lubricating oil flows over each of the three basic
heading operations, beginning with wire or rod fed through the
straightener and cut-off knife, continuing through upsetting, extruding
and/or forming operations, and ending with the final forming operation.

How the Lubricant Works

As the lubricating oil flows through the cold heading sequence, the sul-
fur and chlorine components of the lubricant form ferrous sulfides and
chlorides that prevent welding and act the same as a solid lubricant.
A continuous film is being formed and destroyed as the metal is in the
process of moving and forming. The fat component in the lubricating oil
adds lubricity to the mineral oils present.

The proper viscosity or thickness of the lubricant depends on

temperatures generated by the cold forming sequence; naturally higher
temperatures require higher viscosities. A good rule of thumb is to begin
with a standard lubricant at full strength, and make adjustments up or
down. A small, simple component may allow cutting back full strength
lubricant by adding mineral oil. A more complex part may require
using a heavier grade of lubricant.

Cleaning Processes for Headed Parts

Finishing operations require that cold formed stainless parts be cleaned
to remove coatings and lubricants. The specific method of cleaning
depends upon the type of coating or lubricant being removed. Here
are some specific removal methods. It should be kept in mind, however,
that these cleaning operations do not replace passivation. See page 37
for passivation procedure.

Lubricants, Soap, Lime and Precoat Removal

Detergent-based cleaners are generally adequate for removing most
soluble soaps, greases and oil residues from headed parts. The chemical
supplier should recommend the optimum operating temperature and
concentration for the cleaning solution. Agitation will usually speed up
the cleaning process and will help loosen particulate matter such lime
residues. Rinsing of the cleaned parts using pressure sprays, solution
agitation, or rapid part movement assists in removing the last traces
of dirt and cleaner residues.

CHAPTER 3 | COATINGS AND LUBRICANTS 35

 Ecolube® II Alloy, Molykote®* and KnightCote™ Removal
These coatings can also be removed from fabricated parts using detergent
or alkaline cleaner formulations. Surfactant and dispersant additives
in the cleaner will help dislodge the fine particulate material comprising
the coating, and keep it in solution. The chemical supplier’s recommenda-
tions should be followed regarding bath type, operating temperature
and solution concentration. Solution agitation, moving of the parts by
tumbling or stirring, ultrasonic energy, and high pressure spray rinsing
will assist in dislodging these coatings. The coating particulate may be
removed from the cleaning solution by filtering, centrifuging, or by
allowing the solids to settle and decanting the clean liquid.

Copper Electroplate Removal

Nitric Acid: Copper can be readily removed from fabricated parts by
immersing them into a solution of nitric acid at 30 percent concentration
or higher. The reaction proceeds quickly at room temperature, and more
rapidly at temperatures of 140˚ to 180˚F (60˚ to 82˚C). Solution agitation
and part motion will aid in complete removal of the copper coating.
Sulfuric Acid: Hot concentrated sulfuric acid will dissolve copper. This
acid, however, also attacks many steel grades and should be used only in
very special cases. Formulations of stabilized peroxide in sulfuric acid are
also used to remove copper. These products are commercially available
from several suppliers. Compatibility of these chemicals with your existing
tanks, racks, baskets, other materials and processes must be established.

Other Methods: Several commercially available formulations have been

developed to strip copper and similar metals from various base metals.
These products are often neutral to slightly alkaline, relatively safe to
handle, and can often be disposed of by standard treatment facilities.
Customers should check with their chemical supplier for compatibility
of these products with various metals; methods and precautions to be
observed when using these products; and operating conditions and bath
controls.

Combination Coatings: A two-step process can be used to remove layered

or combinations of different coatings over copper. First, a detergent or
alkaline cleaner will remove the lubes, soaps, precoat or KnightCote,
followed by stripping of the copper as a second step.

Passivating Stainless Steels

The corrosion resistance of stainless steels is due to a very thin, invisible
oxide film that completely covers the surface of the parts and prevents
corrosion from taking place. A freshly formed, polished or pickled part
will acquire this film rather quickly through contact with the atmosphere.
Some fabricated components, however, may be contaminated with small

36 CHAPTER 3 | COATINGS AND LUBRICANTS * Registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation

particles of foreign matter, which should be removed to impart full stain-
less properties. The passivation process accomplishes this. The primary
purpose of the passivating treatment is to remove surface contamination,
usually iron, so that the optimum corrosion resistance of the stainless
steel will be maintained.

The general procedure for passivating is to immerse parts in a warm solu-

tion of nitric acid or nitric acid plus oxidizing salts for about 30 minutes.
Specific details are shown in Figure 31.

Passivation should be preceded by one of the cleaning processes on

pages 35-36, followed by a thorough water rinse. The addition of sodium
dichromate or use of the 50 percent nitric acid increases the “passivating
potential” of the bath so that undesirable local attack is less likely. Note
that the passivation techniques shown in Figure 31 do not include the
free machining grades, which require different procedures.

Other Important Passivation Considerations

Carpenter recommends the following important considerations during
the passivation process:

1. A good passivating solution is required to prevent local attack.

Tap water is usually adequate, though a high chloride content
(greater than several hundred ppm) could cause problems.
Nitric acid content must be periodically checked.

2. When high production rates pass through the

passivating bath, maintain a definite schedule Passivating the Stainless Steels

for replacing the bath to avoid contamination. Grades Passivation

3. Maintain the bath within a specific tempera- • Chromium-Nickel Grades 20% by vol. nitric acid at 120/140˚F
(300 Series) (49/60˚C) for 30 minutes
ture range. A room temperature bath has a
• Grades with 17%
lower “passivating potential” than a warm Chromium or more
(except 440 Series)
bath and, therefore, is more likely to cause
local attack. • Straight Chromium Grades 20% by vol. nitric acid + 3 oz. per
(12-14% Chromium) gallon (22 g/liter) sodium
4. It is good practice to passivate only one grade dichromate at 120/140˚F (49/60˚C)
• High Carbon–High for 30 minutes
at a time. Attack can occur in the bath with Chromium Grades
(440 Series) OR
parts that are improperly heat treated. • Precipitation Hardening 50% by vol. nitric acid at 120/140˚F
High-carbon, high-chromium grades must be Stainless (49/60˚C) for 30 minutes

hardened to render them corrosion resistant.

Fig. 31 Passivation methods for the

different types of stainless steels are
shown in this table. The table does not
cover free machining stainless grades.

CHAPTER 3 | COATINGS AND LUBRICANTS 37

 Chapter 4
Tooling for Heading

Introduction
The success of any heading operation depends to a large extent on
the performance of the header tooling. Properly engineered tooling
should provide trouble-free operation, while tooling related deficiencies
often result in poor part quality, lost productivity and excessive costs.
Such issues become even more critical in the case of difficult to head
materials (such as stainless steel) due to the increased demands
placed upon the tooling.

Four areas of significant heading tool usage are defined within the
industry: die inserts, recessed punches, thread rolls, and casings.
These are the most popular tooling categories and account for more
than 90 percent of all heading tools utilized.

Tool performance is determined by the many variables that are inherent

in the design, construction, and maintenance of the components used
in each of these tooling categories. Detailed discussion covering each
of these areas is beyond the scope of this article. However, the following
will highlight the proper selection and treatment of tooling materials as
well as some basic considerations involved with the construction of die
components.

Selection of Tooling Materials

Today the tooling engineer can select from a very wide range of tool ma-
terials. The list might include conventional tool steels, ultra-high strength
tool steels, advanced P/M tool steels, or cemented tungsten carbide. The
selection process requires an understanding of which tool material prop-
erties are most critical. This can often be determined from the type of
failure mode exhibited by the tooling used in a given application.

In the case of heading tools, wear resistance and toughness are usually
considered to be the primary selection criteria. Tools that fail due to abra-
sion or galling indicate a need for additional wear resistance. Conversely,
tools which fail due to chipping, micro-chipping, or breakage indicate a
need for toughness. Other properties which are critical in heading applica-
tions include hardness, compressive strength (resistance to deformation),
and fatigue strength (resistance to cyclical stresses).

To help in the selection process, Carpenter has developed a special chart

(Figure 32) that plots relative wear resistance and toughness of represen-
tative tool steels and carbide. The chart references the relative positions
different tooling materials, making it easy to tell at a glance what
combination of wear resistance/hardness and toughness can be expected

38 CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING

from a given material. The final choice for a particular application can
then be made by evaluating more specific properties offered by the
material of interest.

The tooling materials chart clearly shows the inverse relationship that
exists between wear resistance and toughness. In general, optimum tool
performance can be obtained by using the material that offers the highest
wear resistance while still maintaining the minimum level of toughness
required by the given application. In the same manner, it is often possible
to upgrade to a more wear resistant material provided that proper steps
are taken to minimize the impact and shock encountered by the tooling.
This is clearly the case with cemented carbide tooling which requires
carefully engineered tool design along with highly accurate and rigid
machine setup due to the inherently low toughness of carbide.

Fig. 32

Carpenter Tooling Materials—Tungsten Carbides, High Speed and Cold Work Tool Steels

Maxamet™
Alloy
M48

M2
M1
Wear resistance

NiMark® AerMet®
300 Alloy Alloy

Toughness

Tungsten Ultra Fine Sub Micron Tool Steels Micro-Melt® High Speed Steels
Carbides
Sub Micron Micro-Melt® Cold Work Tool Steels

Conventional Conventional High Speed

Conventional Tool Steels
Ultra-High
Strength Steel

CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING 39

 Carpenter Advanced Tooling Materials
The advanced tooling materials offered by Carpenter provide a unique
combination of wear and toughness properties, and can often be used
as an easy upgrade over the more conventional tool steels (Figures 33
and 34). This type of upgrading can be an effective means of dealing
with some of the tooling issues often associated with the heading of
difficult materials. More detailed descriptions covering the most
common advanced tooling materials are shown in the following section.
Please contact Carpenter if further information is needed on these or
other tool materials.

Fig. 33

Wear Resistant Grades

Micro-Melt M4 Alloy
®
Micro-Melt® A11 Alloy Micro-Melt® T15 Alloy
(AISI Type M4) (AISI A11) (AISI Type T15)
(UNS T11304) (Equivalent in hardness, wear resistance and (UNS T12015)
heat treating response to CPM 10V® alloy. CPM
1.35 C, 0.30 Mn, 0.30 Si, 0.06 S, 10V is a registered trademark of Crucible 1.50 C, 0.06 S, 4.75 Cr, 5.0 V,
4.50 Cr, 4.50 Mo, 4.00 V, 5.50 W, Bal. Fe Materials Corporation.) 13.0 W, 5.0 Co, Bal. Fe
(Nominal analysis) 2.40/2.50 C, 0.35/0.60 Mn, (Nominal analysis)
A molybdenum/tungsten-bearing powder 0.75/1.10 Si, 4.75/5.75 Cr, A high-carbon tungsten/cobalt vanadium
high-speed tool steel with high carbon and 1.10/1.50 Mo, 9.25/10.25 V, powder high-speed tool steel having excellent
vanadium contents. This grade provides very abrasion resistance and red hardness.
high wear resistance along with high 0.05/0.09 S, Bal. Fe
strength.
(Single figures are maximums)
A high-vanadium, powder metal cold work tool
steel with wear resistance superior to most
other tool steels, and possessing good strength
and toughness characteristics.

Fig. 34
Fracture Resistant Grades

AerMet -for-Tooling Alloy

®
NiMark® Alloy 300
(U.S. Patent Nos. 5,087,415 and 5,268,044) 0.03 C, 0.10 Mn, 0.10 Si, 0.01 P,
(UNS K92580) 0.01 S, 18.00/19.00 Ni,
0.23 C, 3.00 Cr, 11.10 Ni, 1.20 Mo, 13.40 Co, Bal. 4.70/5.10 Mo, 8.0/9.50 Co,
Fe
0.50/0.80 Ti, 0.05/0.15 Al,
(Nominal analysis)
0.030 Zr, 0.003 B, 0.05 Ca, Bal. Fe
A double-vacuum melted iron-cobalt-nickel
alloy possessing high hardness and strength (Single figures are maximums)
combined with exceptional ductility and tough- This low-carbon, nickel maraging alloy attains
ness. Designed for components which require a yield strengths over 270 ksi (1862 MPa) through
combination of HRC 53/55 hardness with the simple low temperature heat treatment.
highest toughness available. Excellent notch ductility.

40 CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING

Application Guidelines
Although many variables are involved in the selection of tool materials,
it is often the case that certain materials tend to be the preferred choice
in specific applications. The following section provides a list of both the
standard and advanced tooling materials that have been commonly used
in the main tooling categories (Figures 35, 36, 37 and 38).

Fig. 35
Die Inserts
Advanced Tooling Materials Standard Grades
Micro-Melt® M4 Alloy
Speed Star® Alloy (AISI Type M2)
Micro-Melt A11 Alloy
No. 610® Alloy (AISI Type D2)
Micro-Melt T15 Alloy

Fig. 36
Recessed Punches

Advanced Tooling Materials Standard Grades

Micro-Melt M4 Alloy Star-Max® Alloy (AISI Type M1)
Micro-Melt T15 Alloy Speed Star® Alloy (AISI Type M2)

Fig. 37
Thread Rolls

Advanced Tooling Materials Standard Grades

Micro-Melt M4 Alloy No. 610 Alloy (AISI Type D2)
Micro-Melt A11 Alloy Speed Star Alloy (AISI Type M2)
Micro-Melt T15 Alloy

Fig. 38
Casings
Advanced Tooling Materials Standard Grades
AerMet®-for-Tooling Alloy No. 883® Alloy (AISI Type H13)
NiMark 300 Alloy
®

CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING 41

 Heat Treatment of Header Tooling
Few toolmakers would disagree with the fact that tool steels must be heat
treated correctly if tooling is to have any chance of performing at an opti-
mum level. This is especially true in the case of the advanced tooling
materials which tend to be less forgiving in nature due to their high alloy
content. In the same manner, it is often possible to fine-tune tooling
properties for a particular application through careful selection of heat
treatment parameters. It is highly recommended that the reader contact
Carpenter, or consult with a qualified heat treat professional if further
assistance is needed in this area.

Thin Film Coating

Another method of improving tool performance that has become very
common involves the use of advanced, thin film coatings on the surface of
the tooling. Although many coating processes are currently available, the
most frequently used are the PVD coatings such as TiN, TiCN, and TiAlN.
These hard coatings are applied using sophisticated technology and can
be used effectively on a broad range of substrate materials. Although a bit
of trial and error is needed to find the optimum combination of coating
and tool material for a given application, the improvement in tool life can
often be significant when coatings are effectively utilized. Please consult
a qualified coating source for more information in this area.

Cold Heading Die Stations

and Die Construction
Selecting the Right Type of Cold Heading Die
CASING BACKING PLATE
There are many types of dies, steels and die
construction techniques used in cold heading
operations today. The most popular are insert dies.
FILLER
Generally, the insert die is preferred for long runs,
INSERT
for extremely heavy upsets, or for applications
where die configuration is complex (Figure 39).
Solid die construction is sometimes used for short
runs because of its lower initial cost.

Fig. 39

Insert Dies
The major advantages of the insert die are its flexibility and the savings
offered in die repair costs and lower tool inventory.

Often, it is possible to use the same grip or shouldered insert for many
different length threaded bolts. The extruding insert can be used for
heading bolts that have different grip lengths within the same bolt diam-
eter. The header point can be used in conjunction with any combination
of thread and grip length as long as the bolt diameter is the same.

42 CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING

If the first insert should fail, it is a simple matter to eject and replace it.
The original extruding and pointing inserts and casing can still be utilized.
This simple operation saves many hours in die repairing.
DIA. X DIA. Y

Insert Die Construction

Casing: The relationship between the casing outside diameter, or shroud
(Figure 40), with the inside diameter is very critical. This relationship is
frequently abused. Naturally, the geometry of the part has direct bearing
on this relationship. As a general rule, the outside diameter should equal DIA. X= 21/2" DIA. Y MINIMUM
CASING O.D. TO I.D. RELATIONSHIP IS CRITICAL
21/2 times the inside diameter (O.D. = 21/2 x I.D.).
Fig. 40

Installation
The two most widely used methods are the press and shrink methods.
The procedure for each follows:

Press method: A good rule of thumb is that the insert O.D. is 0.003" to
0.004" larger than the I.D. of the casing. The insert has a taper of 0.001"
per inch of length. It is pressed into the rear of the casing with the small
diameter of the insert leading. A word of caution—loss of press (elasticity
of casing) will result in insert failures due to lack of support.

Shrink method: Generally it is desirable that the insert O.D. is 0.0015" to

0.002" larger than the casing I.D. The casing is then heated to 500˚F and
the I.D. expands approximately 0.002" to 0.0025". The insert is then Fig. 41
frozen to approximately -120˚F, which results in a shrinkage
of approximately 0.002" to 0.003" in the insert’s O.D. Next,
the insert is installed in the casing and the assembly returned 1" CASING

to room temperature (Figure 41). INSERT

0.498" FRONT

Die Design for Heavy Upsets 0.500" 0.499"

Step #1: Insert and casing at room temperature before assembly.
Insert dies allow the use of the more highly alloyed through-
hardening tool steels than solid dies. The casing is designed
to absorb the shock while the insert provides high wear 0.500" CASING

characteristics. Experience indicates that through-hardening INSERT

steels are not suitable for solid dies.

In some cases where unusually heavy upsets are involved,

0.498" 0.497"
it is desirable to have two casings, so that part of the shock Step #2: Insert frozen to -120˚F, casing heated to +500˚F.
can be transmitted to the second casing. This type of die is
constructed with the casing containing the insert hardened
CASING
to approximately Rc 55/56, while the outer casing is hard-
INSERT
ened to Rc 45/50. Both casings should be made of the same
material. No. 883® alloy can be considered for this application INTERFERENCE FIT

because it can be easily tempered to both hardening ranges.

Step #3: Assembled and returned to room temperature.

CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING 43

 Heading Die Construction
for Cold Forming Extrusions
IMPACT
Angles and Diameters
In a standard extrusion process for bolts consisting
MAJOR of a grip (unthreaded area) and a pitch diameter
DIAMETER
D2 0.245" (threaded area), normal industry practice has been to
M2 use an included extrusion angle of 28˚. This 28˚ angle
A2
has been readily accepted and is most successful
H11 because the thread blends into the angle (Figure 42).
14˚
5-317
The extrusion area, usually referred to as the land
CARBIDE
®
NiMARK 300 or choke, is normally 10 to 15 percent of the major
ALLOY
M2 0.214" diameter; i.e., grip = 0.245" diameter, land sizing diam-
D2
RADIUS
eter = 0.214", length of land = 0.030" to 0.035". The
0.002"
0.003" relief area (0.2155" to 0.216") is approximately 0.0015"
0.2150 larger than the land diameter. This will vary with the
0.2155
diameter of the extruded section.

General rule: In the sizes larger than 3/16" (0.187")

the length of the land is usually 10 percent of the
HARDENED major diameter—generally not to exceed 0.050". In
BUSHING K.O.
PIN diameters smaller than 3/16" (0.187") the land is usually
15 percent of the major diameter with a maximum
10% MAJOR DIAMETER length of 0.030" and a 0.015" minimum length.
0.050" MAX.
LAND= 0.015" MIN.
10% ABOVE 3/16" The pointing angle, normally associated with a starting
15% BELOW 3/16"
lead when applying the fastener in assembly, is
generally specified by the customer.

Fig. 42

Die Problems
Inserts
Failure of the inserts due to cracking is one of the heading industry’s most
vexing problems. When the proper grade of steel is used and heat treated
correctly, cracking failures can usually be attributed to improper interfer-
ence stress (support) or incorrect ratio of insert O.D. to casing O.D. This
situation can be rectified by careful evaluation and the establishment
of a record system keyed to each diameter of insert casing, interference
allowance and tonnage for assembly of insert and casing. The I.D.
configuration of insert must be taken into consideration.

When extremely complex configurations are to be formed in a die, it may

be necessary to use a segmented insert which is usually introduced into
a bushing that was made from Micro-Melt® M4 alloy (hardened to approx-
imately Rc 58-60). The segmented sections and bushing, in turn, are
introduced into a casing made from NiMark® 300 alloy.

The use of segmented sections in the insert construction allows maximum

“breathing” to occur, which absorbs initial impact pressures—a significant
advantage for the cold header.

44 CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING

Casing
Good casing design and material are also very important so that the insert
is allowed to breathe. For extremely heavy extrusions, a maraging steel
such as NiMark 300 alloy at Rc 50-52 should be considered for the casing
material. For normal extrusions, H-11 or H-13 may be used at a hardness
of Rc 42-47.

Finish
Alloy and tool steel selection for the insert depends upon part
configuration requirements and the alloy being formed. Surface
conditions of the extruding angle, land and relief must be extremely
smooth to reduce extruding friction pressures. Normally, restrictions
on the surface finish of these tools are requested at RMS Zero with
the final finish a matter of negotiation.

Relief
Relief is very critical for successful extrusions. If excessive relief
is present, the extruded section will upset against the knockout pin
and must then be extruded when ejected from the die. This will result
in a bent extruded area which cannot be economically thread rolled
on an automatic machine.

Other Factors that Affect Tool Performance

Shearing
The sheared wire which is subjected to the extrusion process must
be sheared cleanly with a minimum squareness of 3˚ to 4˚. If the sheared
angle is not square (within 3˚ to 4˚), uneven pressures on the extruding
angle will develop, resulting in galling or a die buildup. This consequence
will create friction problems, accelerated tool wear, and, in many
instances, tool breakage.

Uniform Hardness and Column Strength

When it is necessary to extrude the shank as well as that portion of
the part formed in the traveling first or second punch, it is extremely
important that timing be utilized and that the material being formed
be of uniform tensility. If the alloy being formed lacks uniform tensility,
an upsetting will occur between the die and traveling punch creating
a malfunction and subsequent tool breakage.

Often the manufacturer of the cold formed part complains about the
column strength of the cut-off slug to be extruded. The following guide
may be helpful.

CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING 45

 General rule: Stainless and high temperature alloys possessing minimum
75 ksi (517 MPa) ultimate tensility usually have adequate column strength
for extrusion if all the other ground rules mentioned are observed.
Actually, the higher the column strength, the easier the extrusion will be.
When extruding and upsetting are required, it is suggested that your steel
supplier be consulted.

Lubricants
When using high temperature and stainless alloys, the coating is of utmost
importance. The base material must be shrouded with an adequate coating
impregnated with a lubricant to reduce friction. However, in many cases,
wet drawing lubricants are utilized to supplement the lubricants which
have been impregnated into the copper. Although a practice for many
years, it can result in accelerated die wear and excessive tool breakage
because the additional oil functions as a hydraulic action and exerts
undue pressure on the tooling.

Wire Extrusion
By-Product Advantage
An additional advantage in using the extruding process is that larger
Fig. 43 diameter wire can be used, which reduces the ratio of wire vs. the upset
area. Normally, 21/4" wire diameters (shank dia.) are used as the ratio
for one upset. By extruding, it is not unrealistic to establish five to eight
shank diameters in the finished upset; i.e., use of wire having a 3/16" diam-
eter would prevent the formation of the head in Figure 43 because the
volume of material in the head is approximately seven times the smaller
diameter. By extruding, the head can be reduced to a controllable volume
so that the use of a larger wire will be helpful (Figure 43).

Heavy Extrusions
For particularly heavy extrusions, such as those shown in Figure 44, many
experiments and practices are utilized throughout the industry. One such
practice is to extrude as rapidly as possible using an extruding angle of 45˚
to reduce the pressure buildup within the tools. A second is to use a
radial-bottomed extruding die which reduces die pressures by as much
as 30 percent.

The importance of speed when extruding is a controversial subject. In

general, the faster the materials are moved in an extrusion process, the
less die pressure buildup will be encountered and the easier the process
will be. Although, there is a limit as to how fast the material can be moved,
depending on the alloy being extruded.

However, if the tooling is adequately designed (i.e., supported), speed

Fig. 44
usually does not have any relation to the success or failure of the extrusion.

46 CHAPTER 4 | TOOLING FOR HEADING

Chapter 5
Selected Hints

Introduction
In the first four chapters of Heading Hints much of the information
centers on the basics of cold forming. This chapter provides more detailed
information on selected cold heading practices, including warm heading,
tubular rivets, hex head cap screws, thread rolling, secondary operations
Fig. 45 This end-on view of a fastener
and calculation methods for upset volumes. that was made from No. 10 stainless
clearly shows a typical benefit of warm
heading. Notice the size of the head
Warm Heading relative to the diameter of the shank.
Warm heading is a modified form of cold heading performed at 200˚ Such severity of upsetting would be
impossible with cold heading. This fas-
to 800˚F (93˚ to 427˚C), which is below the recrystallization point or
tener was warm headed in two blows.
transformation temperature of the metal being formed. Warm heading
alloys working difficult-to-form materials, requires less deformation
pressure, reduces tooling loads by as much as 50 percent compared
to cold forming, and generally prolongs tool life.

Warm heading is especially applicable to parts of unusual shape

and forming high strength alloys that are resistant to heat and corrosion.
Usually alloys that work harden rapidly can be severely upset without
cracking. The method generally works well for making high strength
bolts from grades such as the austenitics and high temperature alloys
like Pyromet alloy A-286, Waspaloy and Pyromet alloy 718.
Fig. 46 This truss square shoulder bolt,
With warm heading, the wire is usually heated before it enters the feed made from No. 10 stainless, was warm
rolls, or, when possible, between the feed rolls and the header machine headed successfully. Less forming
frame. The most commonly used methods of heating are: pressure was required on the die
which increased tool life.
1. Resistance Heating—A contact stand is installed between the wire
reel and the feed rolls. A low-voltage, high-amperage circuit is then
connected to the contact stand and the feed rolls. The electrical
resistance of the metal itself serves to produce the heat.

2. Gas Heating—A series of burners is mounted on an adjustable stand

and the wire passes over them. Variations include use of a tube,
surrounded by a series of ring burners, which is mounted on an
adjustable stand, heating the wire as it passes through the tube.

3. Induction Heating—An induction coil is installed in front of the feed

rolls, and the wire is passed through the coil.

Fig. 47 This Phillips® recessed wafer-

head screw, made from Carpenter
The Importance of Temperature Control
A-286, is another typical fastener made
Close control of wire temperature is important since erratic heating possible only by warm heading. The
causes uneven flow, and results in uncontrolled head dimensions. recess actually extends into the shank.
If the wire is overheated, for instance, the material will tend to blob
instead of flow. Also, the lubricity of the wire coating may be destroyed,

CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS 47

 and smearing may occur at the cut-off station. Close temperature control,
on the other hand, improves plasticity and headability by reducing both
the strength and work hardening of the material being formed.
Consequently, less forming pressure is required to fill the cavity of
Fig. 49 These Phillips® head sheet the die or hammer, with a resulting improvement in sharper corners
metal screws made from Type 305 and shoulders and, in some cases, elimination of stress cracking.
stainless show the difference between
cold and warm heading. The one on Surprisingly good warm heading results for the stainless steels are
the right was warm headed success- achieved in the temperature range between 350˚ and 450˚F (177˚ to
fully. The two on the left, however, 232˚C). Temperatures over 600˚F (316˚C) should generally be avoided.
were cold headed and have obvious A typical example is an increase in piercer punch life from 2,000 to 10,000
defects. Stress cracking is the cause,
parts in forming M6 nuts in Type 305 stainless. Valve lifter rollers and
not surface imperfections.
inner and outer bearing races are easier to fabricate using warm heading.

See Chapter 3 for a discussion of warm and hot heading lubricants.

Tensile Strength
Testing Temperature Annealed Wire Lightly Drawn Wire
˚F ˚C ksi MPa ksi MPa
Room Room 74 510 83 572
250 121 68 469 — —
300 149 — — 73 503
Fig. 50 Warm heading enabled 400 204 — — 71 490
successful fabrication of this indented 500 260 60 414 70 483
hex head screw that was made from 750 399 59 410 — —
Type 305 stainless. 1000 538 56 386 — —

Fig. 48 This chart shows typical tensile strength variation for stainless wire at
elevated temperatures.

Tubular Rivets
The manufacture of low-carbon steel tubular rivets by cold heading is
common practice (Figure 52). Fabrication is relatively simple with steels
such as AISI Type 1006. However, increasing demand for 18-8 stainless or
austenitic tubular rivets has created a number of production problems,
even though many producers of cold formed parts have been able to
manufacture tubular rivets from Types 410 and 430 stainless steel with
very slight changes in tooling and practice.
Fig. 51 Warm heading eliminated
stress cracking for the severe upset The cold working of 18-8 stainless into tubular shapes (or any of the 18-8
of this truss shoulder bolt made alloy modifications such as Carpenter No. 10 alloy [Type 384] and Custom
from Carpenter No. 10 stainless. Flo 302HQ alloy) has proven to be more difficult than forming the low-
carbon grades.

Prior to the introduction of modfied stainless steels and improved

manufacturing techniques, tubular rivets made from austenitic alloys
had always been drilled rather than extruded. The specialized techniques
and practices that have been developed are necessary for the successful
extrusion of these more difficult alloys. Compared with drilling, extrusion
is a low-cost operation that results in significant savings to the users
of tubular rivets.

48 CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS

Some headers have produced tubular rivets from Carpenter 302HQ alloy
using a single-die, two-blow header. The ability to deliver two blows allows
the first punch to start the metal in a given direction, so that it may be
finished with the second blow. In order to form a tubular rivet configura-
tion, modification of the knockout station is required.

Other fabricators have found they can achieve a greater level of efficiency
using a standard rivet header—a two-station, two-die machine. This
machine is essentially comprised of two single-blow headers mounted Fig. 52 These are examples of tubular
rivets successfully cold headed from
side-by-side on a common base with provisions for the mechanical trans-
stainless alloys.
fer of parts from the first die to the second. Usually the first station
squares the cut-off slug to a maximum squareness not to exceed one or
two degrees out of square. The slug is then transferred to the second die
where it is pierced and/or extruded depending upon the process being
used by the header.

Some Important Considerations

In any 18-8 stainless tubular rivet program—using either single or
multiple dies—it is extremely important to devote particular attention
to the initial wire diameter, the shearing of the
RMS 20 max.
wire, and the squareness of the cut-off. 0.010⁄0.012"

5⁄7"
Another important consideration is tooling. It is not
0.010⁄0.012" 4⁄5"
uncommon for an extruding pin at a hardness of
Rc 63 to upset prior to extruding, and subsequently 0.003⁄0.004"

shear due to the uneven pressures exerted upon it.

FOUR STAR
A hardness of Rc 65 is suggested as the minimum (M-4 High-Speed Steel)

hardness level for the extruding pin with an Rc 63⁄65

optimum hardness of Rc 66 or 67. Field reports

indicate that using titanium carbide and nitride
vapor deposition techniques are helpful in pro-
longing extruding pin life.

Proper design of the extruding pin is critical. Many

different pin designs are considered proprietary;
however, one of the most common configurations
is a 5˚ angle at the face of the pin with the length of the land on the pin Fig. 53 Cone point extrusion pins have
equivalent to the sidewall of the tubular rivet (not to exceed 0.030" in been used successfully in the produc-
tion of low-carbon steel tubular rivets.
length)(Figure 53).
Use of the cone point design to
Most fabricators have found it helpful to use warm heading techniques extrude similar parts from the 18-8
when forming tubular rivets from an austenitic alloy. Resistance, induction stainless steels, on the other hand, is
detrimental to the final product. It is
and gas heaters are commonly used for this purpose, although many
suggested that a flat be machined on
heading shops favor the resistance method. Tubular rivets that were made
the face of the pin equivalent to the
from 18-8 modified stainless are usually formed at a temperature of 750˚F length of the land. By doing this, the
(399˚C) (Figure 54). extrusion will perform in a waterfall
pattern rather than in a piercing
pattern.

CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS 49

 Additional experience has shown that temperatures between 800˚ and
900˚F (427˚ and 482˚C) are most beneficial in extending tool life and
extending efficiency of the extruding pin. Lubricants are needed, too,
for successful forming. Common practice involves installing an oil cup
in the die block so the extruding pin is lubricated with oil coolant on
the backward stroke.

Hex Head Cap Screws

Various practices used in the manufacture of stainless steel hex head
cap screws have a direct effect upon trim die life. Some manufacturers
have developed the technique of using a single-die, two-blow header
that forms the wafer section on the first upset. The cold formed part
is then transferred into a trimmer and the hex is formed on the head
Fig. 54 Warm heading contributes to
of the cap screw (Figure 55).
better tubular rivet production from This simple operation seems effective provided special trimming dies
the austenitic alloys. Temperatures
are used, the correct tool design and steel are chosen, and the proper
of 750˚F work best, but heading in
the 850˚ to 900˚F range may further
techniques to control flow pattern are developed.
increase tool life. Extremely poor trim die life is experienced, however, whenever this
process is pursued to the fullest extent. In many cases, the wafer cold
headed part must be bright annealed before being transferred to the
trimming station for hex head formation.

Average trim die life without annealing is approximately 6,000 parts.

When annealing is used as an intermediate step, die life increases to
12,000 to 14,000 parts.

Use of a two-die, four-blow, and/or progressive header is a much more

efficient method of production for hex head cap screws. With progressive
heading the blank is automatically transferred to a series of dies for a
number of multiple blows.

In the progressive forming sequence, a larger wire diameter is used and

the blank is extruded at the first station with the headed portion re-
maining unworked. After automatic transfer to the second station, addi-
tional extrusion is performed if necessary, plus wafering of the headed
Fig. 55 A single-die, two-blow heading
area. The part is subsequently shifted to a final station where it is
machine forms the wafer section on
this hex head cap screw on the first trimmed. Trim die life is approximately 20,000 to 25,000 parts per tool
upset. The cold-formed part is then using this method.
transferred to a trimmer where the
It is important that the condition of the wire being used for progressive
hex is formed.
heading has a coating to support extrusion. An example is a tightly
adhering copper coating with an overcoat. Carpenter suggests
application of an Ecolube II overcoat for ultimate production
results. This improves tool efficiency and reduces downtime.

Recently some hex head cap screw fabricators have found it

beneficial to use a sectional carbide trimming die (Figure 56) to
trim the blank. This sectional die reduces compressive loads and

50 CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS

increases the die life to approximately 50,000 to 60,000 parts per tool
before resharpening. Sectional dies should be evaluated for cost
considerations since these dies are about five times more expensive
than solid, high-speed tool steel dies.

Hex head cap screws have been commonly used throughout the automo-
tive, construction and machine tool industries. Such stainless alloys as
Carpenter 302HQ stainless and 20Cb-3® stainless and Type 316 stainless
are formed easily with proper techniques (Figure 57). Fig. 56 A sectional carbide trimming
die reduces compressive loads and
increases die life in hex head cap
Thread Rolling
screw fabrication.
For thread rolling, what is the best wire size and the proper heading blank
diameter necessary for superior results? The answer is not always simple.
Choice of an optimum starting wire must conform to the thread limita-
tions as specified in the standards.

Two approaches to solving this problem predominate. One school of

thought dictates that the tolerances on the header be maintained at
approximately 0.002", while the other approach recommends that the
blank diameter be controlled at a total tolerance of 0.001" with die
pressure relieved in the rolling process.

Of course, headed blank diameter varies with the alloy being formed,
and easy-to-move materials, including AISI Type 1010, 1018, 410, 430
and aluminum, present few thread rolling problems. However, alloys Fig. 57 This is an example of the type
of hex head cap screw being success-
with a higher rate of work hardening, such as Type 305, A-286,
fully headed from stainless steel today.
Waspaloy and Pyromet 718 alloy, fall into a different category.

Initially when heading these harder-to-work alloys, it is strongly

recommended that a diameter wire as large as possible be used while
still maintaining dimensional tolerances. Experience shows that blank
size tolerances from the header should be held both:

1. To the narrower 0.001" tolerance band, and

2. To the high side of the pitch diameter in order to reduce roll

threading problems.

Experience has also shown that by controlling the blank diameter

on the header, roll thread die life is improved.

The indicated blank diameters relating to basic alloys are suggested

as a working guide along with the standardized wire diameter to be used
(Figures 58 and 59).

Use of these standard wire sizes actually reduces the volume of

deformation in the area upset, restricts the blank diameter from the
heading machine to a maximum of 0.0015" total tolerance, and also
minimizes thread rolling die wear. The 0.0015" total tolerance is usually
adequate if proper heading die design and steel are used.

CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS 51

 Headed Body Wire Machine Carbon Brass, Bronze, Type 410 Stainless 18-8 & Wire
Size Tolerance Size Screw Size Steel Aluminum, Type 430 Custom Flo 302 HQ Size

#2 .073/.075 .072 2-56 .072/.0735 .0725/.0738 .073/.073 .072

#3 .083/.085 .082 2-64 .0735/.075 .074/.0755 .0745/.0755 .073
#4 .094/.096 .093 3-44 .082/.0835 .0825/.084 .083/.0845 .082
#6 .112/.114 .111 3-48 .083/.0845 .0835/.085 .084/.085 .083
#7 .124/.126 .123 3-52 .0835/.085 .084/.0855 .0845/.086 .083
#8 .133/.135 .132 3-56 .085/.0865 .0855/.087 .086/.087 .085
#9 .141/.143 .140 4-32 .089/.091 .0895/.0915 .090/.0915 .089
#10 .149/.151 .148 4-36 .091/.0925 .0915/.093 .092/.0935 .091
#12 .174/.175 .173 4-40 .093/.0945 .0935/.095 .094/.0955 .093
#14 .201/.203 .200 4-48 .096/.0975 .0965/.098 .097/.098 .096
#16 .219/.222 .218 5-40 .106/.1075 .1065/.108 .107/.108 .106
#18 .240/.243 .239 5-44 .1075/.109 .108/.1095 .1085/.110 .107
#20 .265/.268 .264 6-32 .1155/.1165 .1155/.117 .116/.117 .115
#24 .319/.322 .318 6-36 .117/.1185 .1175/.119 .118/.1195 .117
6-40 .119/.1205 .1195/.121 .120/.1215 .119
6-56 .1235/.125 .124/.1255 .1245/.126 .123
Fig. 58 Alloys that can be considered
7-32 .128/.130 .1285/.1305 .129/.1315 .128
for tapping screws (Types 410, 305,
8-30 .1395/.141 .140/.1415 .1405/.142 .139
304, 18-8 and 302HQ) should be sized
8-32 .141/.1425 .1415/.143 .1415/.1425 .140
according to this table.
8-36 .143/.1445 .1435/.145 .144/.1455 .143
8-40 .144/.1455 .1445/.146 .145/.1465 .144
9-32 .153/.1545 .1535/.155 .154/.1555 .153
10-24 .160/.1615 .160/.162 .1605/.162 .160
10-30 .1655/.1675 .166/.168 .1665/.168 .165
10-32 .1665/.168 .167/.1685 .1675/.1685 .166
12-24 .185/.187 .1855/.1875 .186/.1875 .185
1/4-20 .214/.216 .2145/.2165 .215/.217 .214
1/4-28 .223/.225 .2235/.2255 .224/.2255 .223
5/16-18 .272/.2745 .2725/.274 .273/.275 .271
5/16-20 .275/.277 .2755/.277 .276/.278 .273
5/16-24 .281/.284 .2815/.2845 .282/.285 .280
3/8-16 .3295/.3325 .330/.333 .3305/.333 .328
3/8-24 .3435/.346 .344/.3465 .3445/.3465 .342
1/2-13 .444/.447 .4445/.4475 .445/.448 .443

Fig. 59 These are recommended blank diameters and appropriate standard wire
sizes for thread rolling. Note that coatings should be taken into consideration when
establishing the proper blank diameter prior to mill threading.

Accommodating Secondary Operations

It is possible to tailor many of today’s headable stainless grades to
accommodate secondary operations, especially machining. Adding
controlled amounts of sulfur to Type 305 stainless, for example, can
Fig. 60 These spoke nipples for car improve this grade’s machinability. Any addition, of course, is within,
and motorcycle wheels were made
but at the top of, non-free-machining analysis limits. The intention
from Carpenter 302HQ-FM® stainless,
which offers good headability and free
is to provide a headable grade that is as clear and free from internal
machining fabricability characteristics chip breaking elements as possible.
in the same stainless alloy.

52 CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS

An excellent example is that experienced by a manufacturer of spoke D

nipples (Figure 60) for motorcycle and automobile wheels who gained
advantages by switching to Carpenter 302HQ-FM® stainless. This grade d

was designed specifically for applications requiring secondary machining

operations after primary cold forming. h d

Several versions of stainless steels were tested, including Type 303

with additions of selenium or sulfur. These cracked, however, during d H
cold heading, would not extrude properly or caused other fabrication
problems.
d
Type 302HQ-FM stainless provided desired properties for the spoke
nipples. In addition to offering improved corrosion resistance and the
optimum combination of cold heading and machining fabrication charac-
teristics, it proved to be competitive with previous raw material and 2 3
h (expressed in dia.) or h⁄d is HD ⁄d
production costs, had the necessary anti-galling properties, and provided
sufficient luster on finished parts. Fig. 61 This formula, where D is the
finished diameter and H the height
This manufacturer used 302HQ-FM stainless in two wire sizes—0.278" of the completed upset, is one method
and 0.297"—cold drawn with an Ecolube II coating. Coiled wire was fed of calculating volume for cylindrical
into a solid-die, double-stroke header, forming the entire outside dimen- upsets.
sions (slot and head) at the rate of 72 parts per minute. These nipple
blanks were then run through an eight-station rotary machining center
that included operations such as milling, relief drilling, tapping and
D
threading. These operations were performed at the rate of five parts per 0.625
H

minute. Total fabricating time was 13 seconds per part. Machined spoke
0.234
nipples were finally tumbled, degreased and washed.

d
Calculation Methods for Upset Volumes 0.312

Three excellent methods exist for calculating the volume of material for
cylindrical upsets. The first, discussed briefly in Chapter 1, uses the
formula shown in Figure 61. WDH = 0.08694 x 0.234
= 3.0 dia.
W dd 0.02167 x 0.312
Upset volume may also be calculated based on unit weights. Figure 62
provides the weights of unit lengths of steel wire for use in the following Fig. 62 Another way to calculate the
number of diameters required for
formula:
cylindrical upsets is this one based on
weights of unit lengths of steel wire.

h= WDH
——
Wdd

Figure 62 offers a sample calculation for 0.625" diameter wire. This same
method may be used to determine the number of diameters in heads of
complicated shape.

CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS 53

 First, weigh a sample part accurately. Next, determine the shank weight
by locating the diameter in Figure 63 and multiplying this unit weight by
the shank length. This shank weight is then subtracted from the total part
weight. The remainder is the head weight or the WDH in the formula on
page 53.

The third method uses the nomograph calculation shown in Figure 64.

Fig. 63 The weight of unit lengths of

steel wire needed to use the volume
calculation formulation in Figure 62.
Weight is shown in 0.001 lb.

Diam 0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600 0.700 0.800 Diam 0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600 0.700 0.800

0.000 2.23 8.90 20.03 35.61 55.64 80.13 109.06 142.45 0.050 0.556 5.01 13.91 27.27 45.07 67.33 94.04 125.20 160.82

0.001 2.27 8.99 20.17 35.79 55.87 80.39 109.38 142.81 0.051 0.579 5.07 14.02 27.42 45.27 67.57 94.33 125.53 161.19
0.002 2.32 9.08 20.30 35.97 56.09 80.66 109.69 143.17 0.052 0.602 5.14 14.13 27.58 45.47 67.82 94.62 125.87 161.57
0.003 2.36 9.17 20.43 36.15 56.31 80.93 110.00 143.52 0.053 0.625 5.21 14.25 27.74 45.68 68.07 94.91 126.20 161.95
0.004 2.41 9.26 20.57 36.33 56.53 81.20 110.31 143.88 0.054 0.649 5.28 14.36 27.89 45.88 68.31 95.20 126.54 162.33
0.005 2.45 9.35 20.71 36.51 56.76 81.47 110.63 144.24 0.055 0.673 5.35 14.47 28.05 46.08 68.56 95.49 126.88 162.71

0.006 2.50 9.45 20.84 36.68 56.99 81.74 110.94 144.60 0.056 0.698 5.42 14.59 28.21 46.28 68.81 95.78 127.21 163.09
0.007 2.55 9.54 20.98 36.87 57.21 82.01 111.26 144.95 0.057 0.723 5.49 14.70 28.37 46.48 69.05 96.08 127.55 163.47
0.008 2.60 9.63 21.12 37.05 57.44 82.28 111.57 145.31 0.058 0.749 5.56 14.82 28.53 46.69 69.30 96.37 127.89 163.86
0.009 2.64 9.72 21.25 37.23 57.67 82.55 111.89 145.67 0.059 0.774 5.63 14.93 28.69 46.89 69.55 96.66 128.22 164.24
0.010 2.69 9.82 21.39 37.41 57.89 82.82 112.20 146.03 0.060 0.801 5.70 15.05 28.85 47.10 69.80 96.95 128.56 161.62

0.011 2.74 9.91 21.53 37.60 58.12 83.09 112.52 146.40 0.061 0.828 5.77 15.16 29.01 47.30 70.05 97.25 128.90 165.00
0.012 2.79 10.00 21.67 37.78 58.35 83.36 112.84 146.76 0.062 0.856 5.84 15.28 29.17 47.50 70.30 97.54 129.24 165.39
0.013 2.84 10.10 21.81 37.96 58.58 83.64 113.15 147.12 0.063 0.883 5.91 15.40 29.33 47.71 70.55 97.84 129.54 165.77
0.014 2.89 10.19 21.95 38.15 58.80 83.91 113.47 147.48 0.064 0.911 5.99 15.51 29.49 47.92 70.80 98.13 129.92 166.15
0.015 2.94 10.29 22.09 38.33 59.03 84.18 113.79 147.84 0.065 0.940 6.06 15.63 29.65 48.13 71.05 98.43 130.26 166.54

0.016 2.99 10.38 22.23 38.52 59.26 84.46 114.11 148.21 0.066 0.970 6.13 15.75 29.82 48.33 71.30 98.73 130.59 166.93
0.017 3.05 10.48 22.37 38.70 59.49 84.73 114.43 148.57 0.067 0.999 6.21 15.87 29.98 48.54 71.56 99.02 130.94 167.31
0.018 3.10 10.58 22.51 38.89 59.72 85.01 114.75 148.93 0.068 1.03 6.28 15.99 30.14 48.75 71.81 99.32 131.28 167.70
0.019 3.15 10.68 22.65 39.08 59.95 85.29 115.07 149.30 0.069 1.06 6.36 16.11 30.31 48.96 72.07 99.62 131.63 168.08
0.020 3.20 10.77 22.79 39.26 60.19 85.56 115.39 149.66 0.070 1.09 6.43 16.23 30.47 49.17 72.32 99.92 131.97 168.47

0.021 3.26 10.87 22.93 39.45 60.41 85.84 115.71 150.03 0.071 1.12 6.51 16.35 30.64 49.38 72.57 100.21 132.31 168.86
0.022 3.31 10.97 23.08 39.64 60.65 86.11 116.03 150.39 0.072 1.15 6.58 16.47 30.80 49.59 72.82 100.51 132.65 169.25
0.023 3.37 11.07 23.22 39.83 60.88 86.39 116.35 150.76 0.073 1.19 6.66 16.59 30.97 49.80 73.08 100.81 133.00 169.63
0.024 3.42 11.17 23.37 40.01 61.12 86.67 116.67 151.13 0.074 1.22 6.74 16.71 31.13 50.01 73.33 101.11 133.34 170.02
0.025 3.48 11.27 23.51 40.20 61.35 86.94 116.99 151.49 0.075 1.25 6.82 16.83 31.30 50.22 73.59 101.41 133.69 170.41

0.026 3.53 11.37 23.65 40.39 61.58 87.22 117.32 151.86 0.076 1.29 6.89 16.96 31.47 50.43 73.85 101.71 134.03 170.80
0.027 3.59 11.47 23.80 40.58 61.82 87.50 117.64 152.23 0.077 1.32 6.97 17.08 31.63 50.64 74.10 102.01 134.38 171.19
0.028 3.65 11.57 23.95 40.77 62.05 87.78 117.96 152.60 0.078 1.35 7.05 17.20 31.80 50.86 74.36 102.32 134.72 171.58
0.029 3.70 11.67 24.09 40.96 62.29 88.06 118.29 152.97 0.079 1.39 7.13 17.33 31.97 51.07 74.62 102.62 135.07 171.98
0.030 3.76 11.77 24.24 41.16 62.52 88.34 117.61 153.34 0.080 1.42 7.21 17.45 32.14 51.28 74.87 102.92 135.42 172.37

0.031 3.82 11.88 24.39 41.35 62.76 88.62 118.94 153.70 0.081 1.46 7.29 17.58 32.31 51.50 75.13 103.22 135.77 172.76
0.032 3.88 11.98 24.53 41.54 62.99 88.90 119.26 154.08 0.082 1.50 7.37 17.70 32.48 51.71 75.39 103.53 136.11 173.15
0.033 3.94 12.08 24.68 41.73 63.23 89.19 119.59 154.44 0.083 1.53 7.45 17.83 32.65 51.92 76.65 103.83 136.46 173.54
0.034 4.00 12.19 24.84 41.92 63.47 89.47 119.92 154.82 0.084 1.57 7.54 17.95 32.82 52.14 75.91 104.14 136.81 173.94
0.035 4.06 12.29 24.98 42.12 63.71 89.75 120.24 155.19 0.085 1.61 7.62 18.08 32.99 52.36 76.17 104.44 137.16 174.33

0.036 0.288 4.12 12.40 25.13 42.31 63.95 90.03 120.56 155.56 0.086 1.65 7.70 18.21 33.19 52.57 76.43 104.74 137.51 174.72
0.037 0.305 4.18 12.50 25.28 42.50 64.18 90.32 120.90 155.93 0.087 1.68 7.78 18.33 33.33 52.79 76.69 105.05 137.86 175.12
0.038 0.321 4.24 12.61 25.43 42.70 64.42 90.60 121.23 156.31 0.088 1.72 7.87 18.46 33.51 53.00 76.95 105.36 138.21 175.52
0.039 0.338 4.30 12.71 25.58 42.90 64.66 90.88 121.56 156.68 0.089 1.76 7.95 18.59 33.68 53.22 77.22 105.66 138.56 175.91
0.040 0.356 4.36 12.82 25.73 43.09 64.90 91.17 121.88 157.05 0.090 1.80 8.03 18.72 33.85 53.44 77.48 105.97 138.91 176.31

0.041 0.374 4.43 12.93 25.88 43.29 65.15 91.45 122.21 157.42 0.091 1.84 8.12 18.85 34.03 53.66 77.74 106.28 139.26 176.70
0.042 0.393 4.49 13.04 26.03 43.48 65.39 91.74 122.54 157.79 0.092 1.88 8.20 18.98 34.20 53.88 78.01 106.58 139.62 177.10
0.043 0.411 4.55 13.14 26.19 43.68 65.63 92.03 122.87 158.18 0.093 1.92 8.29 19.11 34.38 54.10 78.27 106.89 139.97 177.50
0.044 0.431 4.62 13.25 26.34 43.88 65.87 92.31 123.21 158.55 0.094 1.97 8.38 19.24 34.55 54.32 78.53 107.20 140.32 177.89
0.045 0.451 4.68 13.36 26.49 44.07 66.11 92.60 123.54 158.93 0.095 2.01 8.46 19.37 34.73 54.54 78.80 107.51 140.68 178.29

0.046 0.471 4.74 13.47 26.65 44.27 66.35 92.88 123.87 159.30 0.096 2.05 8.55 19.50 34.90 54.76 79.06 107.81 141.03 178.69
0.047 0.491 4.81 13.58 26.80 44.47 66.60 93.17 124.20 159.68 0.097 2.09 8.64 19.63 35.08 54.98 79.33 108.13 141.39 179.09
0.048 0.513 4.88 13.69 26.96 44.67 66.84 93.46 124.53 160.06 0.098 2.14 8.73 19.77 35.26 55.20 79.60 108.44 141.74 179.49
0.049 0.534 4.94 13.80 27.11 44.87 67.08 93.75 124.87 160.44 0.099 2.18 8.81 19.90 35.43 55.42 79.86 108.75 142.09 179.89

54 CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS

 Wire Size
Dia. (In)
Upset
Dia. (In)
3 3.0
Upset Vol.
6.0
(Cu. In)
2 1/2
5.0
No. Of Wire
100 Dia. In Upset
2 2.0 Upset Length
4.0 (In)
12
2 3/ 50
4
11
4.0
1 1/ 3.0 10
2
20
3.0 9
1 1/4
10 8
1 1/8
2.0
2.0 7
1 1.0 5

7 .9
/8 6
.8
3/
4
.7 5

5/
1.0 1.0
8
.6 1.0 .9
9
/16 .8 4
.9 0.5
1
/2 .5 .8 .7

.7 .6
7
/16
.4 .5 3
3
.6
/8
0.1
.4
.5
5
/16
0.65"

.3 .05
.3
.4
2

0.25"
1/
4

.2 0.15"
.3
.2 .01
3
/16

.005 Locate diameter of upset (0.65") on line B,

.2 and upset length (0.15") on line D.
.1 Join to get upset volume (0.0498 cu. in.)
on line C. Locate shank diameter (0.25")
1
/8 1
on line A, and draw a line through volume
.001 on line C to get number of wire diameters
in upset on line E (4). E
.1
.0005
.05
.1
D
B

1/ .0001
16

.05

A Fig. 64 A nomograph can be used to

find the number of wire diameters
required for cylindrical upsets. The
example shown is for an upset 0.65”
in diameter by 0.15” high formed wire
0.25” in diameter.
Courtesy of Industrial Fasteners Institute

CHAPTER 5 | SELECTED HINTS 55

Glossary Coating: Materials applied to cal properties occurs. Same as
heading wire or rod at the mill, transformation temperature.
such as soaps, greases, copper, (See Recrystallization.)
Annealing: Softening; a thermal molybdenum disulfide, etc. They
cycle used to reduce the strength Cut-off Knife: The specially shaped
are necessary to eliminate metal-
of wire or parts before or after blade that shears the blank from
to-metal contact in cold forming,
cold forming. the wire coil held in the cut-off die
and to make fabrication easier.
(quill). It is equipped with a spring
Area Reduction: The percentage Numerous coating combinations
or other gripping mechanism for
decrease of cross-sectional area are possible.
holding the sheared blank as it is
produced by cold working prior Coining: Flattening the end of a transferred to the first heading
to heading or by extrusion. cold formed part, usually used to die.
Calculated by measuring the area denote a finishing cold forming
of the original wire and dividing it Deformation: A change in shape.
operation in a multi-blow setup
by the area of the finished blank In cold forming it occurs when
with a minimum of metal flow.
using the formula: enough force is applied to exceed
Cold Forming: A general term the yield strength of the metal
π r12 applied to a process in which causing plastic flow.
%RA = 1 - ––—
π r22 metal is upset or extruded with
Diameters: (See Free Length
a punch and die (basically
where r1 is the original radius and Ratio.) The relationship between
forging without heat). Cold
r2 is the finished radius. the length of a blank and the
forming also describes closely
diameter of the wire coil from
Austenitic: The term used to related operations such as
which it was cut. Calculated by
describe the structure of the non- piercing, pointing, trimming,
dividing the length of the blank
magnetic, non-hardenable 300 threading, and coining.
by its diameter. A 5" blank of 1/2"
series (18-8) stainless steel alloys.
Cold Shut Defect: Describes a wire is 10 diameters. Diameters
Backward Extrusion: Forming with heading blank that has doubled are important in calculating the
a punch and die so that metal is over on itself due to the attempt amount of blank or wire that can
flowed between the bottom of the to upset too many diameters in be upset in one blow; basic
die and the face of the punch, one blow. heading practice allows up to
flowing outward and rearward 21/4 diameter upset in one blow.
Cone: Typical shape of a fastener
around the punch. (See Extru-
head after the first blow in a mul- Die: A specially shaped block of
sion, Forward Extrusion.)
tiple stroke header. For optimum hardened tool steel or carbide
Blank: A piece of metal cut from grain flow, the apex of this with a cavity that shapes the head
a wire coil with specific size and truncated cone should have an in- of a fastener on a blank as it is
mass that is formed into a finished cluded angle of approximately 12˚. forced into the die under great
part by the cold forming process. pressure or a varying diameter
Crank Header: Any type of
Also called a slug. sized hole that causes a blank to
heading machine that uses a
Blow: A term that describes the extrude as the blank is forced into
crank, rather than toggle assem-
application of force to metal in the it. Most heading is done with solid
bly, to move the ram or gate to
heading operation. One blow dies. Open dies are used to
deliver heading blows. Most head-
means the metal or blank is struck produce longer shank parts.
ing machines use crank mecha-
once. Heading machines are nisms. Die Spreader: The cam-operated
sometimes referred to in terms of mechanism on an open die that
Critical Point: The temperature or
the number of blows they deliver; forces the two halves of the die
pressure at which a change in
i.e., a “two-blow, solid die header.” apart as each workpiece is
crystal structure, phase or physi-
finished.

56 GLOSSARY
Extrusion: A process that changes often combined with upsetting or loaded to such an extent that
metal shape: partial upsetting to form higher ultimate strength is exceeded
head-to-shank diameter ratios. and head cracking results.
1. While a blank is pushed
(See Backward Extrusion,
forward into a die with a Head Diameter Ratio: Ratio of the
Extrusion.)
smaller diameter opening diameter of the finished head to
than the blank itself, or Free Length Ratio: (Often referred the diameter of the shank; a major
to as “number of diameters”). The index of heading severity. (See
2. By creating a cavity or center
ratio of the length of wire to be Upsetting.)
hole by forcing the metal to
headed protruding above the die
flow backward over the Heading: A cold forming process
to the diameter of the blank.
punch. (See Backward, that literally means to form the
High free length ratios may cause
Forward Extrusion.) head on a fastener via upsetting.
buckling of the stock or eccentric
It is mainly a room temperature
Extrusion Angle: The angle of the heads.
process, but warm and hot
opening of a solid die into which a
Gate: The heading machine com- heading are used for tougher
blank is forced during extrusion.
ponent that drives the punch alloys.
This angle should not exceed 30˚.
against the wire or blank, exerting
Heading Pressure: The pressure
Feed Rolls: A matched set of tremendous pressure to force the
required to cold form a given
grooved rolls that feed heading workpiece against the die. Also
material. A rule of thumb would
wire from the coil into the cut-off called the ram.
be that any cold forming material
die or quill. Feed rolls must be
Grain Structure: The internal can be given permanent new
sized exactly to the diameter of
makeup of the metal. Cold shape by applying a force equal
the wire being headed.
forming forces grain structure to to three times its yield strength,
Ferritic: The term used to flow with the new shape, thus or two times its tensile value,
describe the structure of stainless resulting in increased strength. whichever is greater. This rough
steels that are magnetic and non- Other processes, such as rule indicates the machine ton-
hardenable by heat treatment. machining, actually cut the grain nage needed to head a particular
These are referred to as the structure, making the part weaker. type of wire.
“straight chrome” stainless The grain structure of stainless
High Temperature Alloy: Also
grades, and contain from 14 steels can either be ferritic,
called superalloys, these are
to 27 percent chromium. austenitic or martensitic.
heavily alloyed metals with
Formability Range: Lies between Hardenability: The tendency of superior corrosion or oxidation
the metal’s yield strength (the steel to harden upon heat treat- resistance, strength or other prop-
point at which plastic flow begins) ment. Hardness, expressed in erties. High capacity equipment is
and tensile strength (the point at Rockwell or Brinell measurement, required to cold form these alloys.
which the metal breaks). Cold is a measure of the degree to
Insert Die: A cold forming die
forming takes place in this range. which the steel actually hardens.
made of a tough, strong casing
As it does, the yield strength Hardenability is influenced solely
with a hard, wear-resistant insert.
increases faster than tensile by alloy content.
Types of steel used in the casing
strength, which decreases
Head Cracking: This occurs when and insert vary with the die’s pur-
formability limits.
the radial pressure caused by the pose. The insert may be installed
Forward Extrusion: Forcing wire compressive load of the upset by press or shrink methods.
or blank into a smaller die cavity, process places circumferential
Knockout Pin: The part in a solid
which reduces the original diam- fibers of the metal being formed
die header that either supports
eter, but increases length. This is in tension. These fibers can be
the blank, ejects finished parts

GLOSSARY 57
or does both during heading. lubricants because it is virtually ferritic or martensitic stainless
Also called the kickout pin. frictionless. steels. Also known as PH or
No knockout pin is used in open age-hardening stainless grades.
Multiple-Station Header: Generally
die heading. Carpenter PH grades include the
a large cold forming machine that
Custom 450® stainless, Custom
Land: The distance the blank can include up to seven different
455® stainless, and Custom 630
is positioned in the die prior to die stations to perform a number
stainless.
extrusion. For forward or back- of operations, including upsetting
ward extrusion in an open die, the and extruding. Depending on part Punch: (Also referred to as the
blank must “land” 1/8" into the die complexity, multi-station headers hammer.) The movable heading
for support just prior to the extru- can produce 36,000 parts per hour machine component attached to
sion blow. with an automated, transfer the gate that forces the blank
sequence. against the stationary die in upset-
Lubricant: Materials applied
ting and extruding. Usually two
during the actual heading opera- Nib: A small die insert made from
punches are used with a single
tion, including mineral oils, soaps, tool steel or carbide.
die to produce a finished part on
greases, etc. Many include Open Die: Used in cold forming to every other stroke of the machine.
coatings in the term, lubricant, produce parts with long shanks
though for purposes of this book, Quenching: Rapid cooling of
that cannot be made on solid die
coatings are considered materials materials following heat treating.
machines. Stock feeds between
applied at the mill. (See Coating.) Specific methods include direct,
the two halves of the open header
fog, hot, interrupted, selective,
Machining: A metalworking die until it reaches the stock stop.
spray or time quenching. Impor-
process that includes such The die then closes, grips the
tant in achieving structural
operations as turning, drilling, stock, and transfers it to a
changes in ferrous alloys,
broaching, tapping, threading, punching station. The wire is
i.e., transforming austenite
milling, etc., in which material is sheared during travel. The blank
to martensite.
cut away to form a finished part. is then headed and the die returns
to the feed station and reopens. Quill: Another name for the
Martensitic: The term used to
heading machine’s cut-off die
describe the structure of stainless Passivation: A post-fabricating
in which the wire stock is held
steels that are hardenable by heat process that hastens the forma-
prior to blank shearing.
treatment. They are also known as tion of the protective oxide film on
“straight chrome” grades. They stainless steels to prevent corro- Recrystallization Temperature:
include many of the 400 series sion. Work is cleaned with a com- The temperature at which a new
grades; all are magnetic. mercial degreaser or cleanser, strain-free grain structure is
then immersed in a nitric acid produced from that existing
Maximum Heading Capacity:
solution. in a cold worked metal.
The specification for a heading
machine, usually expressed in Piercing Pin: A special knockout Shank: The portion of a fastener
tons, that describes the force pin designed to pierce hollow beneath the head.
required to upset a carbon steel rivets, or act as part of the punch
Shear Cracking: Cracks in the
carriage bolt head from the maxi- to form special hollow shapes.
workpiece that appear at an angle
mum wire diameter the machine Precipitation Hardening: A term of 45˚ to the direction of the
is capable of running. used to describe a group of applied load, and which are
Molybdenum Disulfide: A major specialty stainless steels that caused by shear stress.
lubricant or coating component offers a combination of strength
Solid Die: A block of metal,
used widely in cold forming. It is and corrosion resistance
usually made from tool steel or
one of the best pressure unmatched by the austenitic,

58 GLOSSARY
including a special insert, that Toggle Header: A machine that Further Reference Note
contains a cavity or cylindrical uses a toggle assembly, rather For more specific information on
hole into which the blank is forced than a crank method, to drive the stainless, high temperature and other
in the upsetting and extruding punch against the workpiece. The specialty alloys, visit us at our website,
toggle header, used commonly to www.cartech.com.
operations. Most heading is done
using solid dies, also called closed produce simpler parts, provides a
To contact your nearest Carpenter
dies. (See Open Die.) mechanical advantage by de- sales office call 1-800-654-6543.
livering two blows per crankshaft
Stroke: The action of the punch
revolution compared to one blow Acknowledgments
striking the blank or workpiece.
per revolution with crank headers.
Same as the term blow. The
Carpenter Technology Corporation
double-stroke heading process Ultimate Strength: (See Tensile
gratefully acknowledges the contribu-
means two punches strike the Strength.) tions of the National Machinery
blank in separate blows, but Company, Tiffin, Ohio; STM Waterbury
Upsetting: Application of force to
only one die is used. Headers, Inc., Waterbury, Connecticut,
the end of a metal wire or bar,
a subsidiary of SFM Corporation; and
Superalloy: (See High contained between a punch and a “Purchasing World” magazine.
Temperature Alloy.) die, to exceed the material’s elas-
tic limit (yield strength) to cause Figures 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 16, 17 and 19
Tempering: Reheating hardened
plastic flow. Synonymous with are reprinted with permission from
steel dies or parts at relatively low Waterbury Farrel’s “The Heading
heading, or forming the head
temperatures to reduce stress. Story,” published in 1966.
of a fastener.
Usually accompanied by lower
hardness. Warm Heading: A forming method Figures 4, 6, 61, 63 and 64 are reprinted
in which the wire is heated to a with permission from National
Tensile Strength: (Also referred to Machinery’s “Upsetting,” published
temperature, usually between 400˚
as ultimate strength.) The point at in 1971. Figures 8 and 18 are reprinted
and 600˚F, to improve its plasticity with permission from National
which metal separates or tears
and formability before it enters Machinery’s “Parts from Wire,”
apart under tension. Calculated by
the heading machine. published in 1970.
dividing the cross-sectional area of
parts into the applied load at time Work Hardening Rate: (Sometimes Figure 1 is courtesy of “Purchasing
of fracture. Tensile strength is the referred to as “cold working World” magazine, December 1983.
upper limit of the formability rate.”) In cold working, the rate at
range; exceeding it causes which a metal becomes increas-
cracking of parts during heading. ingly harder during cold-forming
operations. Alloys with low work-
Thread Rolling: Opposite of cut
hardening rates are more suitable
threading. A rapid process in
for heading and cold forming.
which threads are formed to a fas-
tener blank as it is rolled between Yield Strength: The point at which
two dies. Rolled threads may be a metal begins to deform perma-
stronger than cut threads since, nently, or plastic flow occurs.
like cold forming, the metal is
merely reshaped. Grain structure
follows thread direction. This is
a secondary operation except for
bolt maker machines that include
a thread rolling station.

GLOSSARY 59
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Carpenter Service Center, call:

1-800-654-6543
This number will automatically connect
you to the Service Center nearest you.

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