Stainless steel is one of the most adaptable building materials available, being both durable and cost-effective – as well as being easily managed using either hand tools or power tools.
Distributor of stainless steel grades 304, 316 and 347 sheets, coils and bars. Our perforated, embossed and textured sheets can also be perforated or embossed as desired for extra texture. In-house capabilities include plasma cutting and saw forming. Serving aerospace, medical, commercial marine and automotive sectors.
Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance of stainless steel alloy is essential in numerous applications. Stainless steel is often rolled into sheets, plates, bars, wires and tubing for use in cookware, surgical instruments, major appliances vehicles construction materials as well as industrial equipment like ductwork storage tanks and transportation vessels.
Stainless steel stands out as an iron-based alloy that’s resistant to oxidation because its high concentration of chromium. This element forms a passive layer around its surface that protects it from damage while warding off rust formation; other elements like nickel, chromium, molybdenum and nitrogen also play important roles in creating stainless steel’s durability.
While many factors impact grade selection, corrosion resistance should always be the top consideration. When properly maintained, steel’s resistance to chemicals and contaminants such as oxidizing acids, causative agents, and industrial solvents is high. Unfortunately, certain environments can lead to pitting corrosion – localized corrosion that appears as tiny pits on its surface that compromise structural integrity – but with proper care this risk can be managed.
To maintain its corrosion resistance, stainless steel must remain free from contaminants. This can be accomplished through proper processing, cleaning and maintenance procedures; chemical polishing or protective coating can reduce corrosion risk in specific environments while postweld heat treatment reduces weld decay and corrosion in weld area areas.
Though the 304 grade of stainless steel is the most widely utilized variety, other grades offer superior corrosion resistance. One such grade is the 316-grade which features austenitic chromium-nickel alloy with molybdenum added for increased protection against chloride solutions and other harsh environments.
When it comes to selecting the appropriate grade of stainless steel sheet for your needs, selecting one that is recommended by an environmental assessment will be your best bet. An experienced metallurgist can assess your application and recommend which grade of stainless steel would work best in your unique circumstance.
Weldability
When welding metal sheet, it is crucial to select a filler material thinner than the base material, to prevent overheating and warping of the filler metal. Furthermore, using low vapor pressure shielding gases like argon will also help minimize spatter production during welding.
To determine the thickness of a metal sheet, the gauge method is often employed. This length measurement system, developed in North America and included as part of Browne and Sharpe metering system. Each gauge number corresponds with sheet diameter with higher numbers indicating thicker sheets. A gauge conversion chart can help pinpoint accurate measurements in inches or millimeters.
stainless steel welding is highly weldable, making it an excellent choice for many applications. MIG, TIG and stick welding methods can all be utilized. However, for optimal results it is highly recommended to utilize an inverter-based power source for thin aluminum welding to enable greater control over the arc and minimize distortion. Furthermore, using pure tungsten electrodes that have pointed rather than balled tips will provide superior arc performance while decreasing contamination risks.
For optimal welds, it is also necessary to use a high-quality welder. An ER70S-2 welder is commonly used when welding weldable metals; silicon bronze filler metal may provide more resistant against corrosion and wear-and-tear. A tri-mix gas, including helium, argon and carbon dioxide may also prove useful.
Variations in sheet material properties is a common issue during automotive sheet forming processes, particularly with materials intended for automotive applications. A hydraulic sheet bulge test is an effective tool to identify these problems and reduce rejections; the test mimics biaxial deformation conditions commonly found during production operations while remaining simple and cost-effective – an invaluable asset when working with any type of sheet metal material.
Durability
Durability of stainless steel depends on a number of factors, including its type and quality as well as how well it is maintained. Furthermore, certain forms of corrosion such as rusting or pitting – the formation of tiny holes on its surface – are more prevalent. It is crucial that you identify which kind of corrosion you’re facing so you can take steps to mitigate or avoid it; usually this means selecting an appropriate grade of stainless steel for its environment; in restaurants this means selecting metal resistant to corrosion from cleaners such as sanitizers etc.
Another element affecting durability is thickness of steel. While most people understand that thicker numbers indicate thicker metal, some might not realize that different kinds of stainless steel have different thicknesses due to being an alloy that combines multiple elements such as iron with chromium and nickel which make the metal far more resilient against corrosion than pure iron alone.
To accurately gauge the thickness of stainless steel, a gauge chart can help. Not only will it show you its thickness in inches but also millimeters – using this chart can show which numbers correspond with specific millimeter thicknesses – you can then use a conversion table to see exactly how thick your metal is in millimeters.
A stainless steel gauge chart can assist in selecting the appropriate metal for your project. Selecting the ideal thickness can save money in production and shipping costs while decreasing risk for structural deformation or problems. However, not all parts require thick metal; too much could increase production and shipping costs and result in weak designs.
One common misperception about stainless steel is that it is impervious to rust. While stainless steel is durable enough for numerous applications, it requires regular care in order to retain its appearance and maintain its longevity. For optimal protection of your metal surface, regularly wipe it down using damp cloth or sponge and avoid harsh chemicals that can erode its finish; additionally wipe down areas exposed to salt water or contaminants which could potentially lead to corrosion of its surface.
Appearance
A stainless steel sheet is a flat metal piece that can be bent into various shapes and sizes for use in food preparation and handling, chemical processing, outdoor environments and architectural applications due to its corrosion-resistance. This versatile metal can also be bent and welded like other types of metals for fabrication. Stainless steel can also be fabricated using traditional fabrication techniques including welding.
Stainless steel comes with various finishes that determine its appearance. Polished surface stainless steel features a shiny and reflective appearance; this type of steel is commonly used for appliances, kitchen backsplashes, cladding panels and elevator interiors due to being easy to maintain and require little upkeep.
Brushed stainless steel features a smooth satin-like surface similar to mirror-polished stainless steel, but with more uniform appearance than its polished counterpart. Brushed stainless can be made using different techniques such as brushing or sandblasting; or it can even be etched for decorative use and improved durability.
No 6 finish stainless steel is a high-grade type with a matte or dull surface that resists stains, and has the strength and toughness required for industrial applications. It can be worked similarly to other forms of steel but does not bend as easily, unlike galvanized or aluminum materials. Welding and cutting without altering its corrosion resistance properties is possible; additionally it may be coated or treated using chemical polishing technology for further finishing options.
HBmetals is a custom metal fabricator that specializes in stainless steel sheet metal fabrication of any thickness, size or shape. Our company produces sheet metal from both hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel and our experts can assist with selecting the appropriate thickness for your project. Additionally, we can create custom gauge charts to assist in choosing how thick your steel should be; higher numbers indicate thinner sheets compared with lower ones; these standard gauges include Manufacturers’ Standard Gauge, American Standard Gage Browne Sharpe Gage Birmingham Gage (standard gauge sizes being Manufacturers Standard Gauge being Manufacturers Standard Gauge being American Standard Gage; higher numbers indicate thinner sheets compared with higher numbers being thicker). These gauge sizes correspond with Manufacturers Standard Gauge Manufacturers Standard Gauge Browne Sharpe Gage and Birmingham Gage (the last three being manufacturers’ standard gauge sizes for sheet steel production).
