Steel Articles
What is Stainless Steel Bar?
Stainless steel bar is basically steel which has been alloyed with non-corrosive or low corrosive metals and produced in a refinery in single bars. Mass produced stainless steel is produced in lengths which are easy to transport, but can be forged in custom lengths for special fabrications.
Stainless steel bar can be produced in a multitude of different shapes and specifications suitable for the manufacture of all kinds of products from cutlery, cooking utensils such as saucepans and also watch straps.
Stainless steel is steel which has been produced not to stain, corrode or rust as easily as standard steel. Stainless steel is known as CRES (Corrosion-Resistant Steel) in some industries where the mix of metal alloys is not detailed such as aviation sector.
There are many different types of stainless steel because different uses of the steel require different finishes, such as a polished reflective finish as used by stainless steel cutlery manufacturers. Stainless steel can be finished with many different surface textures and qualities; such as coarse, brushed, matte and even a mirrored finish can be achieved.
Composition of Stainless Steel Bar
Stainless steel bar is typically composed of stainless steel which has been produced by alloying several metals with at least 10% chromium. Chromium is a high polish, high melting point and hard metal. Chromium is a metal which is odourless, tasteless and is easily manipulated into another shape or form.
It is the chromium content of stainless steel which gives it its stainless property. The chromium oxide forms a thin layer on the outside of the steel which is un-detectable by the naked eye, which is self healing if scratched and bendable. Its re-healing properties are only active when in contact with oxygen gas, if stainless steel is in use in a non-oxygenated environment, such as underwater, corrosion may occur more easily.
Other than chromium, stainless steel bar is usually composed of varying amounts of nickel, nitrogen and molybdenum, which affect its properties.
Making Stainless Steel Bar
Stainless steel bar and other products such as stainless steel flats, sheet and wire are produced within a blast furnace. Within the furnace, carbon electrodes are aligned to make contact with amounts nickel, nitrogen and molybdenum at a very high temperature.
Once the furnace reaches the optimum melting point the different metal alloys present fuse to create one metal alloy. Then the alloy is fed into an argon vessel where de-carbonization takes place, once within the vessel, forging or casting can begin.
Because stainless steel is very malleable, it can be moulded into a variety of shapes, such as bar, rounds, flats, sheet or be drawn into stainless steel wire.
Stainless Steel Bar Re-cycling
Stainless steel bar benefits from being able to withstand high temperatures, both high and low as well as high pressure environment making it relevantly low maintenance. Low maintenance metals can more easily be used in mass produced and heavily used objects, such as items used around the home like kettles, saucepans and cutlery.
Once stainless steel products have reached the end of their shelf life they can easily be re-cycled because it is 100% recyclable and still reaches a good price on the scrap metal market.
Stainless Steel Bar Stockholders
Steel suppliers hold large quantities of stainless steel bar, flats and tube products and are known as stainless steel stockholders. Some stainless steel stockholders or suppliers offer additional services such as stainless steel sawing, shearing, profiling and drilling.
