• What is orbital welding?

  Orbital welding is a specialised area of welding whereby the arc is rotated mechanically through 360° around a static work piece in a continuous process. An ideal balance between gravitational force and surface tension at every position of the torch must be maintained. Other welding techniques may be more difficult to achieve the highest quality finish due to positioning, restricted access and freedom of movement. Orbital welding allows for a total computerised welding process without operator contribution except for welder monitoring and set-up. Many industries benefit from orbital welding including Pharmaceutical and Healthcare and Food & Beverage process and packaging. View further information on this service from Fabricae Stainless.

• What are the most common welding processes used by Fabricae Stainless?
  • Shielded Metal arc welding – Stick
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – TIG
  • Flux Cored Arc Welding – MIG
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding – MIG
• What conditions favour the use of stainless steel?
  • Corrosive environment
  • Very low (cryogenic) temperatures – prevent brittleness
  • High temperatures – prevent scale and maintain strength
  • High strength versus mass
  • Hygienic requirement e.g. hospitals, pharmaceutical, food and beverage process facilities
  • Aesthetic appearance
  • No contamination
  • Discharge sideability from hoppers
  • Non-magnetic properties of austenitic grades
• How strong is stainless steel?

  Stainless steel can be used in design to reduce material thicknesses and reduce weight and hence costs. Stainless steel has very high strength overall.

• Does stainless steel corrode?

  A common misconception about stainless is that it is not affected by corrosion. All metals except gold, platinum and palladium corrode spontaneously, however stainless steel has a high resistance to corrosion. Low-alloyed grades resist corrosion in atmospheric conditions, highly-allowed grades can resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions and chloride-bearing conditions.

• What are the different finishes of stainless steel?

  Steel is first rolled to size and thickness, and then annealed to change the properties of the final material. Any oxidation is removed and the passivation layer is created on the surface. A finish can then be applied to achieve the desired aesthetic appearance. Some finishes which Fabricae Stainless use include:

  • Brushed finish
  • Satin finish
  • Matt finish
  • Reflective finish
  • Mirror finish
  • Bead blast finish
• What are the different grades of stainless steel?

  When selecting the grade of stainless steel, it is imperative to consider the required properties such as corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and the ability to fabricate the material with ease. There are many different grades with the ‘300 series’, the most common grades used by Fabricae Stainless.

• How much does stainless steel cost?

  The international nickel market is heavily dependent upon stainless steel production. The pricing of stainless steel is also dependent on the international nickel market. Approximately two-thirds of all nickel mined and produced in the world will be utilised in stainless steel. This is usually why quotations are only valid for a specific time, as the price of material fluctuates so regularly. Overall, stainless steel is a highly durable, low-maintenance metal and is a reasonable and price-competitive material when you consider its lifespan compared to others.

For more information about Stainless Steel, visit the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association(ASSDA)

FAQs are guidelines only and Fabricae Stainless accepts no liability for any loss or damage occurring either directly or indirectly from the technical information provided.

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