Stainless Steel World Americas Journal August 2022 Sample | Page 12

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How Stainless Steel Fabrication Works , And Why It Is Important

A stainless steel fabrication process involves manufacturing pre-fabricated parts and components from stainless steel material , that is raw or stock . The fabrication methods used in different industries vary . It is common practice to roll-form , spin , deep draw , forge , bend , and fold with powerful forces due to the material ’ s high strength and hardness .
By Contributing Writer
Simply put , the steel manufacturing process involves the conversion of raw steel into products used to make products for building or assembly . Steel is a metal-containing alloy of steel or other metals . Fabricating with this metal is not the same as welding ; fabrication is making something out of metal , while welding is done once the finished product is made .
Why Is Stainless Steel Fabrication Beneficial ?
Each day , stainless steel demand grows , as does steel production . Even though this steel is expensive , the usefulness of it is hard to ignore , due to the fact that it does not rust , and is known for its high temperature resistance , among other factors . Stainless steel is also an excellent metal for recycling and repurposing .
Something to consider is that the cost of purchasing new materials can be high , especially if something goes wrong during production . However , stainless steel fabricators have been making steel professionally for a long time , and therefore are able to produce quality results .
Several raw elements are melted to produce stainless steel , including iron ore , nickel , silicon , chromium , and molybdenum . When mixed in the proper proportions , the metal ' s numerous basic chemical components produce a robust alloy .
Different varieties of steel are produced by varying proportions of its components . Each distinct combination of stainless steel is referred to as a grade . These are ; 304 stainless , 316 stainless , and 420 stainless steel . With careful fabrication and welding , steel is less likely to change its chemical makeup . All of these factors are part of why stainless steel fabrication with a reputable company is important .
Stainless Steel Fabrication : The Process
The first step is to choose the stainless steel type and grade . Then , the stainless steel component ratio is determined by the manufacturing quality . The quality of every ingredient differs , and so do the proportions . When the raw ingredients have been obtained , the stainless steel production process can commence .
The fundamental procedures begin with melting the materials . The metal components are melted in the furnace . After
melting , steel production can move on to the next phase , excessive removal of
CO 2
. The metal is placed in an argon or vacuum oxygen system to remove unwanted carbon . The amount of carbon removed determines whether the metal is low or normal , which will affect the final product ' s hardness and tensile strength .
The steel liquid is then agitated to disperse it and remove particles from the mix . This ensures the same quality and meets the needs of end users . When the steel cools , it is shaped in various ways . The first step is hot rolling to prevent crystallization . Stainless steel can also be cold rolled to produce metal blooms or billets . Then , it can be heated and annealed to minimize internal tension and change mechanical characteristics .
Stainless steel is then laser-cut , bent , and shaped after annealing . A tube bending machine is then required to bend stainless steel , which can speed up production .
Shearing may be the next step , as it requires no heating and produces no waste in the form of chips . Rolling is best for reducing thickness and shaping . Steel sheets can be formed into standard structural sections or bespoke profiles . Furthermore , stainless steel has several properties that must be combined properly to provide faultless components . Therefore , Using CNC mills ( Computer Numerical Control ) is useful .
CNC machines are crucial in many industrial operations . Materials and components are created with CNC machines using computers . In other words , computers run the production line . Stainless steel is then sawed , sheared , or chopped with abrasive cut-off wheels .
Lastly , stainless steel is joined through welding . A surface must be cleaned and prepared before welding can take place . The gas used to shield is utilized in TIG and MIG welding . The welding gas can be disrupted , causing discoloration of the welding
region or the heat-affected zone . A series of steps will be followed after the welds have been blended and levelled . Belts are utilized for alternate sanding and polishing as part of these steps . The product is now ready to be assembled . The assembly fasteners must be constructed from stainless steel like the plate , sheet , and bar stock , to help reduce the risk of rust .
Quality Control
With all of the steps mentioned to fabricate stainless steel , many wonder why
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