In stainless steel fabrication Melbourne workshops, professionals do all sort of things out of stainless steel; kitchen appliances, tools, car elements and machine parts. You would be surprised from the fact how many things can be created with stainless steel. As a material, it is among the most durable and good looking metals; it does not corrode, does not rust and does not stain. Among the most often used stainless steel sheet metal fabrication techniques are machining and welding of stainless steels.
Machining stainless steel
Several grades of the metal (303, 430, 410 and 416) when mixed with manganese sulfide create alloys that achieve a certain level of resistance to chipping. The manganese sulfide contributes to decreased ductility and corrosion resistance which is why these grades in particular are not the best choice of metal if you are looking for custom stainless steel fabrication. The procedure of machining in almost all stainless steel fabrication Melbourne workshops is pretty much the same: first you apply coolants and lubricants, then you dissipate the heat. After that you use chip breakers to deflect the debris and finally you choose the right machine tool that will reduce vibration and try to keep the cutting edge sharp all the time.
Welding stainless steel
Another type of procedure you can encounter in stainless steel fabrication Melbourne workshops is welding metal. The grade of the metal is what matters most for welding, and according to that, you can try some of these tips:
- Grades from the austenitic family are most suitable for welding purposes, but have in mind that these grades are most susceptible to senzitation and inter-granular corrosion.
- Martensitic grades are prone to cracking, which is why they should be pre-heated and post-heated and if any cracks do appear, fill them with austenitic filler rods.
- Probably the best type are duplex grades, which work perfectly well for low thermal expansion. This makes them welding-efficient, particularly those grades that have a significant amount of nickel in them, which results in a better ductility, strength and corrosion resistance.
- Ferritic stainless steel grades are less suitable for welding because they do not have features like ductility, strength and corrosion resistance, which is a major aspect of welding stainless steel. To overcome these issues, the grades should be post-heated with the help of austenitic stainless steel filters.
These are just some of the major processes in which stainless steel as a material is used. There are other procedures as well for molding products from stainless steel. According to the needs, the metal can be used either as stainless steel or it can be mixed with some other material to create a more suitable mixture. So before you look for any stainless steel fabrication Melbourne contractor, one of the most important thing is to know what you need. Plus, do not forget to consult a professional so that you choose the best option available for you.
