Technical Rosebud Torch Heating Stainless Steel

Is there any metallurgical concern regarding the integrity of this polished stainless steel after market shock mount if I put a rosebud on it and tweak it into the necessary position?

Thanks, in advance, Tim

 

I've bent several of the cast stainless shock mounts and a few steering arms over the years with no problems. I've had them crack checked before use. I've been very careful with the heat as it can puddle very easy if to hot and crack if to cold.

 

Are you sure it is stainless and not chrome plated steel? The image makes it look plated, but I know images can be deceiving.

How stainless responds to heat will depend on the specific alloy. There are a metric **** ton of different stainless alloys out there, and they react to heat in a wide variety of different ways. Holding a magnet up to it will help determine the alloy.

For example, 300 series stainless is a common casting alloy (***uming that shock mount is cast). 300 series is non-magnetic and does not gain strength through heat treatment. You will not damage a 300 series alloy if you heat it and bend it.

A 400 series casting alloy is magnetic, and can be hardened through quench and tempering to increase its strength. Heating and bending must be controlled with this alloy series. No rapid cooling or quenching as it can produce a strong, but very brittle steel - not good for suspension components.

There are other common casting alloys (Precipitation Hardening, for example), but they are typically not used in automotive aftermarket applications.

 

When I needed to bend the stainless pieces I contacted the manufacturer and he explained the procedure to safely bend the parts. I did them on a customer ch***is and have had no negative feedback.

 

Thanks for the reply, I got this set from Roadster Supply