How to overcome 3 common challenges associated with working with stainless steel
Stainless
steel has long been crucial for many applications where strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion are essential. That
is why it is often chosen for process equipment used in harsh environments such as chemical and petrochemical plants,
refineries, and power stations. Unluckily, from a metalworking perspective, the same qualities that make it
perfect for heavy industries also mean that it can be a challenge to work with. Here we look at three issues stainless
steel presents to material removal applications and share tips on how to overcome them.
1. Stainless steel overheats
Compared to steel and other iron-based materials, stainless steel has a significantly lower heat conductivity. This means that it gets
hotter locally when worked on, making many material-removal tasks, such as weld seam removal, difficult.
How to minimize the risk of overheating when working with stainless steel?
The most effective way to minimize the risk of overheating is to select a low-speed tool. Tools running at less than 4000 rpm are a good
choice, as the relatively low speed will not allow the material to heat up, enabling the work to continue undisturbed as long as needed. It
is also important to pay attention to how the tool is handled and avoid pushing it against the metal too hard, as it can contribute to
overheating and, in the worst case, melt the metal onto the abrasive.
2. Progress is slow
The parts being worked on are often very thin, and the material removal tasks run a high risk of damaging the product. To avoid this, the
work needs to be carried out extremely carefully, which is time-consuming, and some tasks, like grinding, can slow down the entire
production flow.
How to speed up the process when working with stainless steel?
First of all, it is crucial to accept that with stainless steel, some tasks will take longer and take this into account when planning the
work schedule. Selecting the right abrasive can also help speed up the process and contribute towards the best possible finish.
3. Achieving a quality finish is difficult
As stainless steel can be a demanding material to work with, achieving a good quality finish for painting is often a challenge, especially
in an operating environment where other materials are being worked on simultaneously.
How to achieve a quality finish when working with stainless steel?
There are no shortcuts to a quality finish, and that is why it is essential to use the correct tools and inserts and eliminate any risk of
damage from cross-contamination. The abrasive must be changed between using it on carbon steel and stainless steel, or the remains of the
carbon steel will ultimately damage the stainless steel product. It is also useful to compare the options available and select the best
possible insert for each task, as their features – and results – differ. For example, flap discs with finer grit can deliver a better finish
in softer operations but make the process inefficient in other applications.
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Stainless
steel has long been crucial for many applications where strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion are essential. That
is why it is often chosen for process equipment used in harsh environments such as chemical and petrochemical plants,
refineries, and power stations. Unluckily, from a metalworking perspective, the same qualities that make it
perfect for heavy industries also mean that it can be a challenge to work with. Here we look at three issues stainless
steel presents to material removal applications and share tips on how to overcome them.
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