Deformed Latch

A picture might be worth a thousand words.

Maybe move an attachment point so that the part doesn't deform past the elastic limit.

Does it not matter why the present design is deficient?

A material change might compensate for the deficiency in the design.

Absent any usable information, there's no good answer.

I take it your using CK-60 for manufacturability.........

Not helping much,...... would have to do research on this to see what it's made of.

Anyways, to change the physical properties, you may and should contact and get a metallurgist involved.

He may have more relative suggestions.

Here is a link to the material properties for those unfamiliar with it (as I was). You will note the Hardenability curve shows that the hardness drops off quite quickly and at 10mm depth is essentially annealed. This is quite likely your problem.

Just an aside, if I were forging swords, or gears, this would be the material of choice, because the soft malleable core would help with impact loading, but not for something that has to be strong as well.

"Flexibility" is not an engineering term that I am familiar with. I am guessing that you want a lower elastic modulus combined with higher yield strength without dimensional changes. If that is the case, you might try making the part out of titanium.

The L shaped part in the middle is the latch. Low modulus of elasticity with a higher tensile strength was a very good explanation for the solution. The correct term should have been elasticity not flexibility. I will propose titanium. Thanks a lot.