Wizard
Which grade should you be using?
Four questions about the part, one recommendation, and the reasoning — including what to watch out for. This is how we would talk it through on the phone.
Grade Selector
How it decides
The logic behind the recommendation
Grade selection has a natural order of priority, and this tool follows it rather than scoring everything equally.
- 01
Case hardening decides first
If the part is carburised, base carbon must be low and the steel must be a hardenable alloy. That rules out the entire carbon steel range immediately, so it is asked before anything else.
- 02
Welding rules out free cutting
The sulphur that makes EN1A and EN8M machine well makes them weld badly. If the part is welded, the free cutting family is out regardless of how much turning is involved.
- 03
Then machining speed against strength
With those two constraints applied, the remaining choice is a trade — cycle time against load-carrying capacity. EN8M sits deliberately in the middle of that trade.
What this tool cannot do
If the answer surprises you, tell us
Tell us what you need
Got your grade? Send us the shape, size and quantity and we will confirm availability.