Frequently Asked Questions about Stainless Steel 2

The first article about stainless steel introduced 5 frequently asked questions, and then I will introduce a few more to give you a better understanding of this metal alloy composed of carbon, chromium and nickel.

Why is stainless steel easy to rust after cold deformation?

After being bent, twisted and folded, stainless steel is prone to pitting corrosion and rust due to dislocation and outcropping (that is, the internal structure is damaged).

Is stainless steel a compound?

Stainless steel is not a compound. Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy. This means that it is a combination of one metal with other metals. Stainless steel is made of carbon, chromium and other elements such as nickel. Chromium (above a certain percentage) is what makes steel stainless.

Can you weld stainless steel

Yes, you can weld stainless steel. Due to its durability and corrosion resistance, this metal is an excellent choice for welding.

Several common welding processes for stainless steel:

Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding/Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW): One of the more popular methods of welding stainless steel. No special drive rolls are required, and the electrical polarity remains the same, using stainless steel wire.

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding/Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): TIG welding requires a stainless steel filler metal to prevent the weld from being susceptible to corrosion. The filler metal should be low carbon or stable grade stainless steel, and the base metal should also be low carbon or stable grade.

Flux-cored arc welding: requires the use of a special gas mixture. Gas-shielded flux-cored arc welding is generally a better stainless steel welding process choice than flux-cored arc welding because it relies less on flux than the latter process to protect the weld metal from the atmosphere.

Laser Beam Welding (LBW): Laser beam welding is often used to join stainless steels together with very fast travel speeds and very low heat input.

How to Cut Stainless Steel Sheet

What makes stainless steel such a valuable tool is strength and durability (which is why it's so hard to cut). But with the right tools and experts, cutting stainless steel is possible.

The right tools for cutting stainless steel include: shears, grinders, saws, knives

Which one you choose depends on the thickness of the steel plate. From there, the process is simple, measuring, marking and carefully cutting.

Shears and cutters are a safer way to cut steel because you have complete control over the entire process. But for batch cutting, these tools may not be time-saving.

Electric grinders and saws are fast, but riskier. Make sure your tool reaches maximum speed before cutting and moving steadily.

What is stainless steel passivation

Passivation is the process of removing iron from stainless steel surfaces using nitric or citric acid. Stainless steel is better protected against rust by removing iron. Applying passivation at the post-manufacturing stage is a smart choice for enhancing the performance of stainless steel products. Passivation also means less maintenance and longer product shelf life by preventing rust.

Does stainless steel contain nickel?

Yes, stainless steel contains nickel. This may come as a surprise to people with nickel allergies. But with high-quality stainless steel, the nickel is so tightly wound that it is barely noticeable to the skin.

For stainless steel coil selection and more information, please consult us for details, we offer a comprehensive selection of stainless steel grades.