Light mill scale = good quality steel?

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I've been working with steel from 2 different vendors. One has tough mill scale that takes work to get off, the other has light mill scale that comes off easily. I've read that impurities come to the surface during production and form the iron oxide mill scale layer.So I'm wondering...if there's a lot of mill scale, maybe that means more impurities and a lower quality steel? Light mill scale, fewer impurities and better quality steel?Just curious, not trying to make a big deal out of it.
Reply:I doubt that it is a reliable measure of steel quality. It may have to do with the number of reworks it gets or the atmosphere in the area where it is heated. Lots of people complain about steel made from scrap but if it is done right the more times it gets remelted the purer it can be made.---Meltedmetal
Reply:Originally Posted by JD1I've been working with steel from 2 different vendors. One has tough mill scale that takes work to get off, the other has light mill scale that comes off easily. I've read that impurities come to the surface during production and form the iron oxide mill scale layer.So I'm wondering...if there's a lot of mill scale, maybe that means more impurities and a lower quality steel? Light mill scale, fewer impurities and better quality steel?Just curious, not trying to make a big deal out of it.
Reply:I'm not familiar with HRPO steel, I don't remember anyone around here selling it. You ask for mild steel and you get what you get. Maybe that's a special order.
Reply:Does HRPO stand for hot rolled pickled and oiled?
Reply:Originally Posted by flushcutDoes HRPO stand for hot rolled pickled and oiled?
Reply:What is Hrpo steel?HRPO steel is hot rolled steel processed with an acid solution – a technique called pickling – to remove contaminants and other unwanted elements such as stains and rust created by exposure to oxygen on the steel's surface. ... Pickling and oiling makes the steel durable, malleable and cleaner to paint.https://midwestmaterials.com/product...d-oiled-steel/     - near Cleveland OH  !Sometimes I send stainless work out to a Midwestern screen in Canton, or is it Masillon ?Last edited by albrightree; 3 Weeks Ago at 10:35 PM.Airco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square waveMiller Synchrowave 180 sdMiller Econo Twin HFLincoln 210 MPDayton 225 ac/dcVictor torchesSnap-On YA-212Lotos Cut60D
Reply:Common SA516-70 boiler plate usually has a lot of mill scale and it's high quality steel. It probably just depends on the steel making process from the supplier how much mill scale is present.
Reply:Originally Posted by Meltedmetalbut if it is done right .
Reply:Originally Posted by albrightreePickling and oiling makes the steel durable, malleable and cleaner to paint.
Reply:As for removal, have you considered a burnishing tool ? I  wouldn't use the Metabo one enough to cover the $800.00 price tag, so I bought an Eastwood. It's been great so far and they gave a 3 year warranty now. I got it on-sale for $179.00 with free shipping.https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-contour-sct.htmlLast edited by BD1; 1 Week Ago at 05:49 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1As for removal, have you considered a burnishing tool ? I  wouldn't use the Metabo one enough to cover the $800.00 price tag, so I bought an Eastwood. It's been great so far and they gave a 3 year warranty now. I got it on-sale for $179.00 with free shipping.https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-contour-sct.html
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1As for removal, have you considered a burnishing tool ? I  wouldn't use the Metabo one enough to cover the $800.00 price tag, so I bought an Eastwood. It's been great so far and they gave a 3 year warranty now. I got it on-sale for $179.00 with free shipping.https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-contour-sct.html
Reply:Originally Posted by Lis2323Also great for cleaning up the tops of welding tables ….Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Millscale varies massively, sometimes one side of a plate will have heavier scale than the other.We got some flat bar in recently that must have had 20 thou of scale on it, it was solid stuff, flap wheels and wire wheels wouldn't touch it! We had to actually grind the stuff off.If burnishing drums are truly that good on heavy scale I'd buy a burnisher right now... it's a lot of money for something unknown to me though Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:Thank you for the replies on the HRPO.
Reply:Originally Posted by Elenawonder22Yes [SPAM LINK REMOVED]
Reply:Originally Posted by MunkulMillscale varies massively, sometimes one side of a plate will have heavier scale than the other.We got some flat bar in recently that must have had 20 thou of scale on it, it was solid stuff, flap wheels and wire wheels wouldn't touch it! We had to actually grind the stuff off.If burnishing drums are truly that good on heavy scale I'd buy a burnisher right now... it's a lot of money for something unknown to me though
Reply:If burnishing drums are truly that good on heavy scale I'd buy a burnisher right now... it's a lot of money for something unknown to me though [/QUOTE] A lot of money ?? The Eastwood is inexpensive at $229.00 OR whatever it is. And it has a 3 year Warranty .METABO is the big $$$$ one, around $800.00This is the aggressive drum I bought. Didn't even have to try it on that plate I posted. I love it for the money and 3 warranty. I have METABO grinders, and consider their's but for my use, Eastwood is adequate. https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-co...h-40-grit.htmlSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by Lis2323I haven't found an abrasive drum for my Walter burnishing tool to remove HEAVY millscale on plate.  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1That's because of your location.  I don't know if Eastwood would ship to you. https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-co...h-40-grit.htmlSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack RyanJust curious, how does the process of pickling and oiling make the steel more malleable?ThanksJack
Reply:Originally Posted by albrightreeI would imagine the hot rolling process is really what makes the steel more malleable, not so much the pickling, and oiling. This is a good read if you are interested.  This link here :   https://worthingtonindustries.com/WI...0WATERMARK.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1 A lot of money ?? The Eastwood is inexpensive at $229.00 OR whatever it is. And it has a 3 year Warranty .METABO is the big $$$$ one, around $800.00This is the aggressive drum I bought. Didn't even have to try it on that plate I posted. I love it for the money and 3 warranty. I have METABO grinders, and consider their's but for my use, Eastwood is adequate. https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-co...h-40-grit.htmlSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk