| The
Alloy Requirements The ice cleat has to
survive in very abrasive and high impact conditions. The original forging design of
the ice cleat called for a 4340 or 4140 steel alloy with a hardness of 34-40 Rc after heat
treatment, an impact toughness of 50 ft-lbs, and a yield strength of 140 ksi.
Some steel alloys shift from a strong, ductile failure to a low
toughness brittle failure at cold temperatures. The temperature where this shift
occurs is the "ductile-brittle transition temperature. The ice cleat will be
exposed to sub-zero temperatures (-50F). The 4340 alloy is ductile down to -150F. |
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