Latest Stainless Steel and Custom Metal Fabrication Techniques Matching Efficiency With Profitability |
Posted: October 27, 2020 |
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and chromium with improved resistance to corrosion and heat. Its enhanced mechanical properties make it suitable for custom metal fabrication for use in a variety of applications. Stainless steel is widely used in fabrication processes as it is malleable enough to be machined, folded, bent, spun, or deep drawn. A wide range of fabrication techniques are currently available including work hardening and machining. Compared to other varieties of steel, stainless steel work hardens quickly, however, a custom metal fabrication process should consider matching the steel grade with a treatment that is best suited for use in a specific application. For example, austenitic steel work hardens faster than carbon steel which makes it a favourite of many custom metal fabrication processes in Brisbane. Faster work hardening rates make austenitic and martensitic stainless steels appropriate for use in projects that require corrosion resistance and strength. Work-hardened stainless steel Work hardened stainless steel also exhibits a higher magnetic capacity after treatment. In some instances, stainless steel can be cold worked up to 1,000 MPa. When cold-drawn, it can reach tensile properties of 2,000 MPa. However, this high tensile strength is usually limited to fine wires and thin sections. Achieving high tensile characteristics from cold-drawn stainless steel becomes unsuitable due to the rapid work hardening rate of larger surfaces. While working with work-hardened stainless steel, some high-speed forming processes may need to be slowed down to enhance efficiency as it undergoes greater deformation at slower forming speeds. Moreover, Grades 303, 430, 410 and 416 have manganese sulphide that limits their machining applications. High sulphur levels result in reduced ductility and forging. More options in steel fabrication Laser cutting is another custom metal fabrication technique used by stainless steel fabrication Brisbane. A laser-cutting machine is used to make a perfectly smooth and stress-free cut in the metal. Laser machines are often used in place of CNC punching as less stress is exerted on the metal surrounding the hole so the sheet metal remains considerably stronger. The metal brake bending technique applies several tons of force to the sheet metal to quickly achieve the bend of the desired angle. Welding stainless steel Most stainless steel fabrication Brisbane processes can weld stainless steels, but the degree of efficiency depends on the grade. For example, Grade 2205 has a low thermal expansion and as such is welding-efficient, while ferritic stainless steel is less suitable for welding as it has low ductility and sensitization. Only a stainless steel fabrication Brisbane facility with state-of-the-art welding equipment can weld all types of stainless steel as they use a welding machine to make faster and accurate welds than what a human welder can achieve, minimizing burns and spatter. TIG and MIG welding TIG welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. A constant-current welding power supply is used in TIG welding which produces electrical energy to be conducted across the arc. The technique is commonly used to weld thin sections of stainless steel and non-ferrous metals. Another welding technique, known as MIG welding, uses a solid wire electrode run through a welding gun to join the sheets of metal. The equipment used in TIG welding automatically regulates the electrical characteristics of the arc. MFDC welding technique Some fabricators use a computer-controlled welding machine that takes advantage of Medium Frequency Direct Current or MFDC to provide welds with fewer deformities compared to the TIG or MIG Welds. The control and power supply system takes alternate current as input and converts it into an inverted higher power output. The process allows for welding 30 times faster than an AC welding machine. Achieving resistance to chipping Some grades of stainless steel achieve resistance to chipping when alloyed with manganese sulphide. The chipping problem can be overcome by selecting machinery with less vibrations, making the cutting edge sharp, and maintaining light cuts and feeds. More than 50 stainless steel grades are available in Australia for custom metal fabrications. Austenitic steel grades 304 and 316 exhibit improved machinability. It is produced through a process that has a sufficient chip breaking effect that provides it excellent mechanical properties related to formability, weldability, and resistance to corrosion.
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