Stainless steel sheet metal offers durability, strength, antibacterial protection and is easy to work with. Furthermore, it won’t rust nor does it corrode over time.
Metal is an increasingly popular material choice for construction and food processing facilities due to its corrosion resistance and budget-minded building owners’ preferences. Aluminum makes an excellent addition to any project!
304 Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel is one of the most frequently used grades of stainless steel used in commercial applications, being readily available in an assortment of sizes, shapes and finishes. Known for its strength, ductility and low maintenance requirements as well as exceptional corrosion resistance in various environments, 304 stainless steel stands out as an exceptional commercial-grade choice.
This grade of stainless steel is widely utilized in food processing equipment, dairy equipment and industrial settings. Due to its ability to withstand high temperatures, evaporators and heat exchangers often make use of it.
304 grade stainless steel’s chromium content makes it tough and corrosion resistant, providing a barrier between oxygen molecules that would otherwise corrode it and the metal itself. This layer renews itself over time, becoming impenetrable even to acids such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acids.
Combining nickel with this grade of stainless steel creates a highly resistant material. 304 stainless steel sheet is an ideal material for construction projects as it can withstand heavy loads without damage, while its exceptional machinability makes for efficient cold working processes; just be sure to anneal afterward in order to prevent work hardening!
Use cutting tools designed specifically for stainless steel to minimize cross-contamination that could reduce corrosion resistance, and to avoid unintended chemical reactions which could reduce strength and durability in the finished product. Using tools intended for other metals could result in unwanted chemical reactions which reduce strength and durability of resulting product.
Stainless Supply stocks an expansive inventory of 304 stainless steel sheets in various standard and custom sizes and gauges, in various finishes such as our #4 brushed finish that provides non-reflective surface with decorative linear effect, or #8 mirror finish which provides shiny surface with reflective properties – depending on the needs of your project, one may suit you better than another; our expert staff is more than willing to discuss all possible solutions with you.
316 Stainless Steel
316 stainless steel sheet is one of the most sought-after grades used in construction industry applications. More durable than its 304 counterpart, 316 provides higher corrosion resistance in environments containing chlorine or salt; hence its application to kitchen equipment, exhaust manifolds, storage tanks and piping.
As opposed to other grades, 316L stainless steel boasts a low carbon content that reduces its likelihood of rust. Furthermore, it can easily be roll-formed and bent to form complex shapes, while being resistant to pitting-type corrosion resistance makes 316 an excellent choice for applications that require corrosion protection in chloride-rich environments.
As is typical for austenitic alloys, 316 contains nickel to stabilize its austenite structure and improve mechanical properties at higher temperatures. Furthermore, molybdenum increases corrosion resistance and helps 316 maintain structural strength at lower temperatures.
As with 304, 316 is relatively simple to work with and can be joined using all traditional welding methods. Cold working may also increase its tensile strength and hardness – however annealing should occur after working to ensure corrosion resistance.
316 stands apart from its counterpart 304 by having higher levels of nickel and molybdenum content, which provides superior corrosion resistance in environments containing chlorides such as seawater or freshwater environments, along with increased chemical and acid resistance, making 316 an excellent choice for marine environments.
Stainless steel sheet 316 is frequently utilized in the production of automobiles, aircraft and transport vehicles such as trains, buses, trucks and ships. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance and strength qualities, stainless steel sheet 316 also makes an invaluable material choice for cooking appliances such as cooktops, sinks and other household appliances.
No matter your metal supply needs – from construction projects to replacing old hardware – London Metal Store has everything you need for any of them! Come visit one of the UK’s premier metal supply stores now for more information or an order! Contact us now.
Duplex Stainless Steel
Duplex stainless steel alloys combine the best characteristics of austenitic and ferritic grades, combining their strengths to produce double the strength and improved corrosion resistance of conventional austenitic grades. Due to its combination of austenitic and ferritic grades, duplex stainless steel grades offer increased strength than its austenitic counterparts and increased corrosion resistance; making duplex suitable for harsh environments like seawater desalination plants, chemical tanks and oil refineries as well as mining production plants and high-profile architectural projects.
Duplex grades offer exceptional resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking and pitting and crevice corrosion. Furthermore, they’re far less prone to inter-granular corrosion (IGC) than standard austenitic grades; are easy to weld and machine, and more cost efficient than higher nickel alloys for many applications.
Duplex grades typically feature compositions consisting of approximately equal portions austenite and ferrite, with the remainder made up of high molecular weight chromium, molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen; additionally they have high nitrogen concentrations which help enhance their corrosion resistance.
This well-balanced microstructure offers superior toughness, ductility and fatigue strength – three essential qualities in many industrial applications. These characteristics become especially crucial when applied to heavy loads or structural components like pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers or piping systems; offshore environments demand strong corrosion resistant structures as well as corrosion-resistance capabilities.
2205 may be ideal for these applications due to its low levels of carbon and nitrogen; its improved corrosion resistance makes it superior among duplex grades; however, ferritic grades remain superior due to higher chromium/nickel ratios and more balanced microstructure. Another possibility is super duplex; its higher levels of chromium/nickel contributes more corrosion protection compared with regular duplex grades.
Like all steels, duplex grades can become embrittled at temperatures above 500 degrees Fahrenheit due to brittle carbides formed at either an austenite-ferrite boundary or at a ferrite-ferrite intersection, leading to loss of impact toughness. This process often occurs during welding operations or rapid heating and cooling during service use, increasing impact toughness loss significantly.
Custom Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an incredibly useful metal for fabrication projects, offering many advantages over its counterparts. Its primary advantage lies in its corrosion-resistance capabilities – perfect for various environments or applications; additionally it has excellent strength properties that make it great for projects requiring tight tolerances; welding it is simple as well.
Selecting the proper alloy is essential. Not all types of stainless steels can withstand similar chemicals, making it essential to do your research before selecting one for your project. Thankfully, there are various resources available to assist with finding a stainless steel that best meets your requirements.
Custom cut stainless steel can save money in terms of labor costs. Instead of hiring someone to cut the sheet for you, utilizing an industrial fabricator with all of the appropriate tools and experience will reduce labor costs significantly and make the entire process much more efficient.
Not only can stainless steel save on labor costs, it can also lower material expenses. Its price point makes it very cost-effective when compared with other materials; not to mention that its durability and lifespan make it environmentally-friendly as it can be recycled over and over again.
Customized stainless steel sheet is available in an extensive selection of sizes and shapes, including flat sheets that have been rolled or welded together; precision cut pieces featuring polished finishes; as well as bead blasting services to give the surface of the metal a uniform matte surface with long-term durability.
Stocking distributor of both standard and hard to find metals, including aerospace & high temperature alloys such as aluminum (alloy), nickel, Hastelloy(r), Waspaloy(r) & Inconel(r); commercial exotic metals like Monel(r) & Invar; brass bronze copper titanium steel certified for government, MIL, AMS, AISI and corporate specifications as well as cold rolled, pickled oiled galvanized sheet plate tubing round bar wire fabrication as well as custom fabrication services including fabrication, machining & shipping services.
