Freeflex® Core is a hardened and tempered martensitic stainless compressor valve steel alloyed with copper. The material is characterized by:
Excellent combination of high strength and high ductility
Extremely high fatigue strength under bending and impact stress
Excellent surface finish
Very high compressive residual surface stress
Low level of non-metallic inclusions
Very good wear resistance
Freeflex® Core compressor valve steel has excellent dimensional tolerances and flatness.
Applications
Valve types:
Flapper valves
Reed valves
Check valves
Fabrication
Tumbling
A good tumbling operation giving a round, smooth edge is necessary in order to minimize stress concentrations. Tumbling also increases the residual compressive surface stresses which gives a significant further improvement in fatigue properties.
Forms of supply
Conditions and forms of supply
Strip steel is supplied in labeled coils, or on labeled plastic spools, depending on weight and size. The label details the steel grade, heat, lot and coil number, and nominal size, allowing full material traceability. Material is protected against rust with oil.