Stainless Steels - Stainless steels fabrication

The aim of this article is to build on general knowledge of the material to provide the essential know-how required for its selection and application. When working with stainless steels, it is essential to take into account their specific characteristics. In particular, precautions must be taken to avoid damaging their surface. This not only prevents deterioration of their appearance, but also the risk of contamination, particularly ferrous contamination, which can lead to localized corrosion.

Their metallurgical and mechanical characteristics have a major influence on processing techniques, more specifically cutting, forming and assembly for flat products, and machining for long products. Forming typically involves sheet metal (boiler components) and strip metal (tube and profile production). Stamping is characterized by the transformation of a blank into a hollow body involving a complex set of states, in tension and compression, during its production. Almost all available energy sources are used to weld stainless steels: electric arc, resistance (Joule effect) and radiation (laser). Corrosion resistance tends to be related to conditions of use, but it can also be affected by the welding operation, which can lead to sensitization of the heat-affected zone (HAZ), thus causing intergranular corrosion. It can also be affected by cold forming operations inducing phase transformations.

In the field of assembly, bonding is also a key element, which today enables us to reach the structural stage.

Finally, design has a direct influence not only on usage properties, but also on resistance to certain forms of corrosion (crevice corrosion). This type of corrosion can often be avoided at the design stage, by eliminating any form of confined space.

The health of arc welders is covered in § 5.1.7 .