The process of cutting and then bending steel into a usable and functional product is called stainless steelmaking. The process of reinforcing and hardening steel is expensive when compared to other metals. But metal is very malleable. You may be reading:
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Welding vs. Stainless Steel Fabrication
The technique is often confused with welding, but the two are very different. While fabrication is the creation of a product from raw material, welding is a process that is performed on the finished item. Sometimes the steelmaking process incorporates welding. The welding method is generally applied in manufacturing when a product needs to look aesthetically pleasing while also being efficient. A simple example of welding is the joining of two elements made of stainless steel using heat and pressure.
Two stainless steel manufacturing processes
- Work Hardening:
The method is used to strengthen steel by deforming it. The slower the formation speed, the greater the deformation and force. For this reason, some forming techniques are deliberately slowed down to improve their hardening ability.
In general, for most stainless steel alloys, the hardening rate is fast, but the exact rate is specific to each grade. Manufacturing techniques mainly use the austenitic steel variety as it has a faster hardening rate compared to the carbon steel family.
The type of steel grade used depends on the type of appropriate hardening treatment. The prerequisite for cold working is austenitic steel. When heat treatment is the need of the moment, then steel grades from the martensitic family are put to work.
Work Hardening Rate Benefits
- A project that needs corrosion resistance and extreme strength can take advantage of stainless steel due to its hardening rate. A few places where stainless steel is used due to its work hardening property is in machine components, hospital equipment such as cryogenic machines, and nuts and bolts.
The martensitic family has shown a special defense against corrosion compared to other SS groups. That is why people prefer the alloy for the production of:
- Instruments
- Cutlery
- Aspects
- valve parts
- Another advantage that greater hardening brings to stainless steel is magnetism. SS itself has a very mild magnetic quality, but those alloys that are known for faster hardening tend to show more magnetism.
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stainless steel welding
One more technique in stainless steel is welding. Stainless steel alloys are generally easy to weld, but the grades define the efficiency of the weld.
- Austenitic family:
This group is easy to weld except free machining grade. Austenitic steel is also vulnerable to sensitization and intergranular corrosion when used for thicker articles.
- Martensitic family:
Although the grade is known to crack during welding, the problem can be solved by simply pre-heating and post-heating the metal. Another method to prevent fractures is to use additional austenitic filler rods.
- Ferritic Family:
In comparison, it is the least suitable group for welding. There are some grades like 409 that can still be used for specific projects. To solve problems such as high grain growth, sensitization, and low ductility, the family can be post-heated or austenitic fillers can be used.
- Family Duplex:
Known for its low thermal expansion, the group is perfect for welding. There are some grades, for example 2205, that show better corrosion resistance, hardness and ductility due to the higher nickel content.
5 awards for using stainless steel products
Ask any supplier of stainless steel railings and they will tell you that, like any other stainless steel, it also has some disadvantages. The initial investment is high, it takes excellent quality equipment to handle it, and welding can be difficult. Still, it is the most preferred metal for fabrications because the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
- The most obvious benefit of working with stainless steel is ease of fabrication. As long as state-of-the-art equipment and machinery is used, everything from cutting to welding can be done in stainless steel. Problems occur when using outdated paraphernalia.
- With the awareness of the environment and the products that we appropriate that affect the planet, the need of the moment is to have sustainable practices. The second advantage of SS is that it is completely recyclable and therefore does not negatively affect the community. Did you know that more than half of stainless steel is made by melting down scrap and previously used metal?
- Corrosion can significantly affect the long-term value of any metal. Because steel contains chromium, the metal is resistant to corrosion, making it a valuable investment. Also, different SS alloys have different corrosion resistance. A lower grade metal is suitable for a wet element. A project using acid or alkaline solutions would benefit more from higher grade alloys.
- In addition to being protected against corrosion, stainless steel is also resistant to heat and fire. Alloys of the metal that have higher amounts of chromium and nickel can be used for water heaters, boilers, and valves on any extreme temperature machines.
- Yes, the initial phase of working with stainless steel requires a large financial investment, but its long-term benefits outweigh the cost. It is virtually a maintenance free metal which translates into better savings. In addition, it manufactures the most exceptional products.