Ultimate Guide to Stainless Steel Manufacturing Process

 

Owing to the versatility of stainless steel, we at Creatingway can carry out a variety of fabrication techniques on it. Stainless steel has relatively high strength and offers excellent durability. Despite this, it is malleable enough for us to bend, fold, weld, machine, spin, and deep draw. The following is a review of the processes. It will mainly delve into work hardening, welding, and machining. The article may help you grasp the advantages and disadvantages of the variations in stainless steel fabrication.

• Welding Stainless Steel

We can weld a vast majority of stainless steel. The degree of efficiency, however, varies depending on its grade. Here some guidelines on welding different grades of stainless steel.

• Austenitic Steel

Most grades falling under the austenitic family are ideal for welding. However, some members of this group are susceptible to inter-granular corrosion and sensitization on thicker products. We thus prefer using steel with lower carbon content in projects involving the welding of thick materials. Some grades like 347 are also effective.

• Martensitic Steel

It is an excellent option when it comes to welding though it is susceptible to cracking. To minimize the likeliness of fractures, our experts normally pre-heat and post-heat the material. We may also opt for supplementary austenitic filler rods.

• Ferritic Stainless Steel

It is relatively not ideal for welding. However, some stable ferritic grades find use in some projects. There are some complications with using them like low ductility, sensitization, and high grain growth. We overcome them by post-heating the welded parts or using austenitic stainless-steel fillers.

• Duplex

It is a grade that works best for low thermal expansion. It is also welding efficient. Some grades may contain a higher nickel content that improves its strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance.

• Work Hardening with Stainless Steel Manufacturing

Work hardening essentially refers to a process that aids in the strengthening of a material. We perform it on stainless steel to protect it from deformation. Stainless steel hardens at a faster rate than other variations of steel. The specific rate of work hardening is dependent on the exact grade of stainless steel. For instance, austenitic stainless steel has a higher hardening rate than carbon steel. We thus end up using it more frequently in fabrication processes.

Our team of professionals expertly matches the steel grade with a hardening treatment that is ideal for it. We preferably use cold working on austenitic stainless steel. We apply thermal treatment processes on other steel grades like martensitic stainless steel.

What is the Work Hardening Rates?

Ferritic stainless steel normally yields low work hardening rates. Due to this, martensitic and austenitic stainless steels are the more beneficial grades in terms of applying work hardening. We can cold work austenitic stainless steel at up to 1,000 MPa though the maximum lies in the 800 MPa range. During cold drawing, stainless steel may achieve tensile properties of up to 2,000 MPa. However, we restrict such high strength levels to fine wire sizes. Size is an issue when it comes to quickly harden stainless steel. This is since the wire’s core may achieve a lower tensile strength if the diameter increases.

Some benefits come with having a fast work-hardening trait. For instance, stainless steel’s hardening rate allows the alloy to be essential in certain projects. The projects may require materials with high corrosion resistance or high strength. Some products include bolts and nuts, cryogenic machinery, machine parts, and medical equipment. The martensitic variety displays the highest level of corrosive resistance and hardness. This makes it a popular option when it comes to manufacturing bearings, valve parts, and cutlery.

How Else Does Work Hardening Affect Stainless Steel Manufacturing?

Work hardening happens to increase the magnetic properties of stainless steel. Steel grades with higher hardening rates often have a higher magnetic capacity after treatment. Additionally, stainless steel may undergo deformation if it has a slow forming speed. We, therefore, sometimes slow down the high-speed forming processes thus increasing the efficiency of the work hardening process.

Certain grades of stainless steel achieve resistance to chipping upon alloying with manganese sulfide. However, manganese sulfide decreases the corrosion resistance and ductility of stainless steel. Therefore, this limits its machining applications. To overcome these limitations, our team of experts has come up with exclusive steel melting methods. These help in improving the machinability of some common austenitic grades. The special processes also contribute a longer tool life.

Which Tips You Should Know Stainless Steel Manufacturing?

Due to complications such as chipping, machining stainless steel is usually a complex process. Here are how we avoid some of these complications.

• Applying lubricants or coolants to the tools
• Use of large equipment to assist in dissipating heat
• Maintaining constant feeds and light cuts
• Utilizing chip breakers to deflect debris
• Choosing a machine that decreases vibration
• Always keeping the cutting edges sharp.

If you have any inquiries regarding the fabrication of different grades of stainless steel, simply contact us. Creatingway is concentrated on CNC machining manufacturing, prototype machining, low-volume manufacturing, metal fabrication, and parts finishing services, provide you the best support and services. ask us one inquire now.

 

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