Have you ever wondered how steel products are made? Well to turn steel into useful products you first need to fabricate them. You must be wondering about the importance of metal fabrication in our lives. Metal fabrication single-handedly changed the course of humanity, especially after the Industrial Revolution. Thus, it has a deep impact on our daily lives. Steel fabrication is a long and tedious process. It has different techniques all of which will be discussed below. So don’t worry. By the end of this blog, you will learn all there is about metal fabrication.
What is Steel Fabrication?
Steel fabrication or metal fabrication is a process where metal is given the desired shape and size. It consists of several processes before the finished product can be received. The craftsmen who fabricate metal are called metal fabricators. The basic process of steel fabrication consists of heating the metal to its melting point. Then other processes such as shaping, cutting, etc., are applied. Steel is a very rigid and hard substance. Heating is necessary for fabricating it into desired shapes and sizes.
What is the importance of Stainless Steel Fabrication?
To manufacture any product from metal, it first needs to be fabricated. Without fabrication, the finished product cannot be received. Fabrication is an old process. It has evolved and refined over the years but the core concept remains the same. Modern-day steel fabrication in Saudi Arabia comprises many different methods. Several methods may be combined one after another to achieve the desired product.
What is stainless steel? What are other different types of metals?
Stainless steel is a metal allow. It is best known for its heat resistance and corrosion resistance properties. It is a combination of alloys of silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen, and manganese. The best thing about stainless steel is that it is cost-effective and is suitable for transporting foods, etc. Although it is cost-effective, it is very durable and strong. It is commonly used for making utensils such as cooking pots, etc. In addition to stainless steel, there are many other metal alloys available. Each of them has its properties which makes them unique. Metal can be divided into three main categories:
1. Ferrous
Ferrous metals contain iron. They have great tensile strength. For that purpose, they are often utilized in housing construction and piping industries. Ferrous metals are known for their corrosion resistance. In addition to that their magnetic nature makes them suitable for electrical applications as well. Some common types of ferrous metals are cast iron, wrought iron, etc.
2. Non Ferrous
Non-ferrous metals lack iron content. They are lighter than ferrous metals. That comes in handy where weight is a concern. Although they are lighter, that does not mean they are not strong. Non-ferrous metals are good for aircraft applications. Some common types of non-ferrous metals are aluminum, copper, etc.
3. Alloy
An alloy is a substance that contains a combination of more than one metal or non-metallic element. Metal alloys are great as they combine the properties of their base metals. Alloys can witness properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, etc. Some well-known alloys are brass, steel, etc.
How is stainless steel different from steel?
There are some major differences between steel and stainless steel fabrication. Stainless steel has multiple properties that make it favorable over steel. The differences between the two are as follows:
Steel
- Steel is a hard alloy of iron, carbon and other elements
- Not corrosion resistant
- It is relatively hard
- Steel is used as a building material
- It is not very resistant to heat
Stainless steel
- Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium and other elements
- It is highly resistant to corrosion
- This metal alloy is hard but can be fabricated with ease
- Stainless steel is used to make kitchen items
- It is highly resistant to heat
What is the classification of steel?
There are four broad classifications of steel. They are as follows:
1. Carbon steel
Carbon steel is used for piping and valves in refineries and petrochemical industries. However, they are not corrosion-resistant. Due to their low price, they are widely used. The more the carbon content in the steel the harder and more durable it gets. Carbon steel is good for you if you don’t want to spend a lot of money and corrosion is not something you are concerned with. It is mainly used to manufacture nails, wires, hammers, wrenches, etc.
2. Stainless steel
Stainless steel is used for making kitchen utensils. They are great for humid environments because of their corrosion-resistant properties. Moreover, their high resistance to heat allows them to be directly exposed to stove fire. Depending on their usage, the grades of stainless steel can vary. However, their general behavior remains the same.
3. Alloy steel
Depending on the required properties, multiple metals are combined. Alloy steel is widely used and each alloy has some property that is different from the rest. Major applications of alloy steel are railways, mining, appliances, etc., to name a few.
4. Tool steel
Tool steel as the name suggests is used to fabricate tools. It is used because it is durable and is tough. This causes the tools to withstand rough usage.
What are the major types of Stainless Steel Fabrication?
There are seven methods of stainless steel fabrication. Depending on the desired product, several of these methods may be combined together. Steel fabrication in Saudi Arabia is done by professional fabricators. You should contact a fabrication company like Al Safrik Steel to get your fabrication work done. The methods of fabrication are:
1. Work hardening
This is a mechanical method that strengthens the metal by deforming it. By changing the internal structure of the metal, it gets hardened. Methods such as rolling, bending, or twisting may be used to harden the metal.
2. Metal stamping
Metal stamping is a process of cutting metal into desired shapes. For that purpose, precisely shaped dies are used which give accurate results. Although this process can be manually done, it is usually done with the help of machines. In the earlier times, manual cutting of metal was performed. However, it is a very difficult and time-consuming process. Using machines not only makes the process easier but also ensures high precision in the final finish.
3. Stainless steel welding
Welding is a process of joining two metals together. A welding gun is heated and hot metal paste is used to join the two metals together. It is a very durable and strong way of joining the metals.
4. Steel punching
A lot of products need holes in them either for design or for ventilation. To achieve that precise holes or other shapes are cut into metal sheets. This process in industrial terms is known as steel punching and is a common method of stainless steel fabrication.
5. Machining
Many complex products require certain shapes and widths throughout them. Manually achieving that finish precisely is a very difficult task. Thus, a machine is used to carefully take away metal. This allows the fabricator to create complex shapes and symmetry throughout the metal objects.
6. Soft soldering
For small metal objects using an immense amount of heat can be damaging. Since the material in the object is in less quantity it can alter the structural integrity of the object. Soft soldering uses less heat in small areas. It is a great way of ensuring that the metal conforms to the fabricator’s desire without damaging neighboring areas of the product.
7. Metal laser cutting
Contrary to other cutting techniques, laser cutting does not use a physical blade. Rather it makes use of high-power high precision laser beams that pierce through the metal. It is a common way of cutting metal in modern-day stainless steel fabrication.
What tools are required for stainless steel fabrication in Saudi Arabia?
No matter what the job is, having a good set of tools goes a long way. Similarly, in stainless steel fabrication tools are important. Having proper tools is essential as it directly impacts the final finish of the product. Here are some of the important tools that a stainless steel fabricator must have:
1. Scribe
Shaped like a pencil, a scribe comes with a metal tip and is used to mark the metal. It is a manual way of marking the metal. The scribe helps set a path for the machine to cut the metal in a straight line.
2. Engineer’s square
To achieve perfection when making a square, an engineer’s square is used. It helps craftsmen mark a perfect square so that the metal is cut properly.
3. Hammer
Equipped with a handle and a metal head, hammers are used for punching the metal. Although not widely used, hammers are used to shape the metal. In addition to that, they have many other uses as well such as punching a hole, etc.
4. Wire cutters
Similar to pliers, wire cutters are used to cut loose wires as well as soft metals. They are widely used and are a must-have.
5. Beam drill line
CNC programming is used to drill metals. It is capable of drilling holes in various steel widths and profiles.
6. Angle finders
Finding accurate angles for cutting or shaping a metal can be a challenging task. If the angle goes off by even an angle it can make the measurements go off by a big margin. For this purpose, having a good set of angle finders is essential. This ensures that all of your angles are proper and in the right place. It comes in handy in cutting as well as bending metals.
7. Auto darkening helmets
Eye protection is an important part of stainless steel fabrication and should not be taken lightly. If exposed to metal shavings the eyes can undergo permanent damage. Thus, having a high-quality auto-darkening helmet is a must.
8. Rulers
Contrary to what some people may think, rulers are still widely used. They help draw straight lines. This helps ensure that your lines are always straight.
9. Stick welding machine
Paired with a welding rod, stick welders are used to weld metals. Welding is achieved by heating the welding rod. That pushes molten metal out of the rod which is then used to bind the metals together.
10. Guillotine
Automated cutting of metal is amazing. However, in some instances, you may need to cut the metal manually. Shaped like scissors, they can cut almost any metal if adequate force is applied.
What are the benefits of Stainless Steel Fabrication?
Stainless steel is great for a lot of applications. Here are the factors that make it a good option:
1. Corrosion resistance
Stainless steel has excellent corrosion-resistant properties. It is highly resistant to rust and withstands humid environments as well. It is great as it can withstand chemicals as well which may weaken other metals. Stainless steel products can easily withstand highly saline environments for example: coastal areas, etc.
2. Heat resistance
Another great property of stainless steel is its resistance to heat and fire. This property allows them to be directly exposed to fire without getting damaged. However, on long and direct exposure to fire, the steel may face some discoloration. This can easily be fixed by a thorough clean-up.
3. Impact resistance
It is a highly durable and tough material. Stainless steel can go through serious impacts without losing its shape. Moreover, it is less susceptible to brittleness at high and low temperatures.
4. Aesthetics
The overall aesthetic appearance of stainless steel is amazing. That is one of the reasons why people are highly attracted to it in the first place. The look and feel of the metal is attractive and elegant. This is one of the reasons why stainless steel utensils never go out of demand.
5. Easy fabrication
Stainless steel fabrication is relatively easy. As the metal nears its boiling point it allows easier shaping and cutting of the metal.
How Al Safrik Steel has taken over Steel Fabrication industry in Saudi Arabia?
Al Safrik Steel is one of the leading steel fabrication industries in Saudi Arabia. We have managed to capture a large chunk of the steel industry within a short period. Al Safrik Steel has a large of products ranging from small to large-sized units. All of our products are made from industry-grade steel which makes them highly durable and strong. We also do custom stainless steel fabrication. This is what allows us to stay on top of the rest of the industry.
With Al Safrik Steel, you can find the right steel fabricator for the job as all of our fabricators are highly qualified. You can visit the products page on our website, choose your desired product, and order it online without any hassle. If you want help you can also contact our online support. They can help you throughout the process making it even more seamless.
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