Stainless steel is a strong and versatile material that is used for applications from cars to medical equipment. The metal must be made to an exact specification, and there are several methods for doing so. Understanding these methods should help you choose the right technique for your project.

Here are a few ways stainless steel is fabricated:

• Work Hardening: Stainless steel is an incredibly strong metal, but there are situations where a job requires more strength. That’s where work hardening comes in — a process in which the shape of the metal is continually adjusted to make it stronger. Thanks to the speed with which it hardens, austenitic stainless steel is best suited to this procedure. For best results, this metal must be worked on in a cold temperature, which allows for the greatest degree of transformation. Steel toughened this way is called cold-formed steel. 
• Machining: With this process, part of the stainless steel structure is subtracted from the whole to create the perfect shape. Also called subtractive manufacturing, several different approaches can be used, including drilling, turning, and reaming. The exact method depends on how much material needs to be removed, and how perfect a finish is needed. Since the steel may be vulnerable to chipping, the other types of metal fabrication are sometimes preferred. However, there are possible workarounds to protect the metal, including the usage of chip breakers to block flying materials. 
• Welding: This metal fabrication method involves the fusing of two separate entities using a high application of heat. Stainless steel welding works best for certain types of the material. For instance, it can work well for austenitic metal but less effectively for ferritic due to how each variety reacts to the heat. 

The next time you need stainless steel fabrication, reach out to Nadler Welding & Repair Shop in Wentzville, MO. These steel fabricating specialists are known for their precision and swift work. Call (636) 327-4404 to speak with a representative. Learn more about the metal shop by visiting their website.