Q: How do I cut Austenitic Stainless Steels?

A: Austenitic Stainless Steels are more difficult to drill or machine than Carbon Steels because of their work hardening characteristics. The more you work them the harder they become. The machinability of the conventional Austenitic grades (types 304 and 316) is about 50% of that of the Free Cutting Carbon Steels.
To successfully drill the Austenitic Stainless Steels a correctly sharpened drill bit is a pre-requisite Cutting speeds must be low (approximately 50% of those used for Carbon Steels), while the feed must be high. The feed must be high enough to ensure that the drill bit is penetrating the work hardened surface layer. Generous volumes of cutting fluid must be applied.

Q: What are the standard mill finishes for Stainless Steels? ?

A: * HRA / No 0 (1C) – Hot rolled and annealed finish. This is a plate finish with the mill scale still present on the surface. This finish is generally only used for high temperature and materials handling applications in thickness greater than 3 mm

* No 1 (1D) – Hot rolled, annealed and de-scaled finish. This is a plate finish with a relatively rough, matt texture, generated by shot blasting and acid pickling. This is an industrial finish with good corrosion resistance and is available in thicknesses greater than 3 mm

* 2B (2B) Cold-rolled, annealed, se-scaled and skin passed finish. This finish is produced by cold rolling a product having a No1 finish to a thinner gauges, annealing and acid pickling. It is then given a light skin pass between polished rolls. The result is a smooth, matt finish with a milky white appearance which is used extensively in the food and beverage industry, as well as for aesthetic applications in architecture and building. It is generally available in thicknesses below 3 mm.

* 2BA (2R) Cold rolled and bright annealed finish. This finish is produced by cold rolling the product using highly polished rolls. The resultant smooth, reflective surface is preserved by annealing in an inert (non-oxidising) atmosphere, thus avoiding the need for acid pickling. It is a smooth, bright and reflective finish available in thicknesses below 2 mm

* No 3 / No 4 (2G) Polished finish. These finishes are undirectional finishes produced by polishing with abrasive belts of varying grit size. These finishes are used for hygienic (food processing) and architectural applications. These finishes are generally available in thicknesses less than 2 mm.

(XX) Denotes finishes as designated in the European (EN) Standards

Questions and answers about stainless steel

Q: What is stainless steel typically used for?

A: In the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, it can be used effectively for pressure vessels and process piping for example. In the oil and gas sector, it is commonly found in platform accommodation, cable trays and subsea pipelines.

Q: What causes a corrosive environment?

A: This can be atmospheric, water, concentration of particular chemicals, chloride content or the presence of acid.

Q: What is the effect of temperature on stainless steel?

A: Higher temperatures accelerate rates of corrosion whereas lower temperatures require increased strength.

Q: Which type of stainless steel is strongest?

A: Higher strength is provided by austenitic, duplex, martensitic and PH steels. However it is important to consider the processes involved as these can impact on which type is most suitable for a particular application.

Q: Which types of stainless steel can be welded?

A: In general, austenitic steels are the most weldable, however duplex steels can also be welded but require more care. Ferritic steels can be welded in thin sections. Martensitic and PH grades are the least suited to welding.

Q: What’s your terms of payment?

A: 30%T/T as the upfront deposit, 70% before delivery, We will show you the photos and package before you pay the balance.

Q: What’s the terms of delivery?

A: EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF

Q: What’s the terms of packing?

A: Generally, we pack our goods in bundles or coils with rods or belts, we could also pack the goods as the customers’ requirement.

Q: What’s your delivery time?

A: For stocks, we could transport the goods to loading port within 7 work days after we received the deposit. For production period, it usually takes about 15 days to 30 days after we received the deposit.

Q: Could you produce according to the samples?

A: Yes, we can customer-made by your samples or technique drawings, we can build the mold and fixtures.

Q: Could you provide the compliment samples?

A: Yes, we could provide the free samples on condition that it is available in stocks, however, the transportation fee is borne by buyer.