Processes and Techniques Used for Fabricated Steel Products

There are a lot of different processes and techniques used for fabricated steel products. These include cold working, heat treatment and shear cutting. The types of products that are most often fabricated from steel include tubes and pipes.

Cold working methods

Cold working is a process that enables metal to be stronger without adding heat. It is primarily used in bulk production. This type of process carries many advantages. But some types of metal cannot be cold worked properly.

Cold work can be applied to aluminum, copper, and steel. It is especially beneficial for small pieces. These materials are strong and have a wide range of uses. For example, they are often used in medical devices.

Cold work makes a metal more resistant to rust and corrosion. It also produces smooth surface finishes. However, some metals cannot be cold worked because of their brittleness.

Cold working is typically carried out at room temperature. The procedure is often referred to as “peening.” Some methods are hammering, blasting, and shearing. Other procedures involve bending and rolling.

The most commonly used cold working method is slitting a sheet into strips. After the sheet is slit, it is passed through pairs of rollers. Once the sheet is rolled, it is bent into the desired cross section profile.

Shear cutting

Shear cutting is the process of slicing through sheet metal by means of a blade. It is a common practice that is used to cut a wide range of materials. Although this process can produce clean edges, it can also produce distortion. For this reason, it is important to choose the right tool for the job.

A typical shear machine includes an upper and lower blade. The upper blade is usually mounted at a slight angle to the lower one. This is referred to as the “Rake Angle.”

In addition to slicing, shearing can deform the material, which can cause chips and breakage. This is due to the fact that the sheet’s edge “rolls over” the blade. To prevent this, it is important to place the blade at an angle.

Although the shear machine itself is not the most powerful piece of equipment, it can produce a clean and accurate cut. It is typically powered by foot power or hydraulics.

Heat treatment

There are a wide variety of industrial processes and products that use heat treatment. These processes help fabricated steel products become stronger and durable. This can be done by applying controlled heating and cooling. Heat treatments can also be used to enhance mechanical properties. They can help to increase wear resistance, ductility and electric properties.

A few of the more common heat treating processes include case hardening, tempering, annealing, and carburizing. Each of these processes have their own unique benefits. The key to achieving the best results is choosing the right method.

Some of the more important aspects of the heat treatment process include the temperature, cooling rate, and time of exposure. The size of the part and the type of metal being treated are also factors. Larger parts will require more time to be heated. Also, uneven cooling will cause greater deformation.

One of the most common forms of heat treatment for ferrous metals is the annealing process. During this process, the metal is heated to a high temperature and then quenched, which helps to trap particles within the solution. Annealing is often followed by a tempering process, which softens the metal.

Tubes and pipes

Steel pipes and tubes are used to transport fluids, gases, solids, and water. They are also used for structural purposes. They can be made in various sizes and shapes.

There are many different kinds of steel tubes and pipes. They are manufactured using several different methods, including welding and cold rolling. Some are more structurally sound than other types. Typically, these tubes are produced to custom sizes.

Pipes are rectangular or round and are typically straight or slightly beveled. They are not suitable for pressurized liquids. Usually, they have an outer coating. This outer coating can be a simple coat of paint or an advanced carbon coating.

Tubes are usually circular, although they can also be telescoped. Tubes can be fabricated from a variety of materials, including carbon, manganese, iron, and aluminum. Many contractors use them in building foundations and framing systems. Other applications include scaffolding, handrails, fences, and chimneys. These products can be marked for identification.

Steel pipes are usually manufactured to long-standing standards. However, production processes and specifications have changed over time. Today, production methods are more stringent. Process controls are implemented to ensure quality and leak-proofness.