Everything About Steel Fabrication And Its Methods
Steel Fabrication is a crucial stage in the life of steel. It is during this stage that the attributes, purpose, and other features of the steel are determined. Fabrication simply refers to manufacturing. So, it actually means the steel-making process. Now, steel can be fabricated by following quite a few methods. Depending on the fabrication method, the steel is divided into various grades and kinds. Without a doubt, steel is one of the most versatile materials out there. It is used in almost all sectors. Now, before choosing the right type of steel for you, you need to look closely into the steel fabrication process.
What is Structural Steel Fabrication?
Structural Steel is the kind of steel that is used in construction projects. Structural steel could either be used to make steel structures or concrete-based structures. Needless to say that steel structures are the strongest buildings out there. In concrete buildings, steel is used to offer tensile strength to the concrete. Special emphasis should be given during the structural steel fabrication process, as the future of the structure depends upon the steel that is used to make the building.
There are so many kinds of structural steel out there, and depending upon the nature of the project, a specific kind of structural steel is used in the projects. Generally, rods and beams, whether it’s round, hexagonal or I shaped, come to the minds of the people when it comes to structural steel. Similarly, Stainless steel is a major type used as structural steel.
Basic Methods Of Fabrication
Fabrication is a sophisticated process in the sense that it requires serious supervision. There are so many methods out there, and depending on what product you’re making, these methods come to play. Without proper care, there is a very high chance for the end product to be ruined or not serve its purpose in general.
Burning
Burning is the common method used in the steel fabrication process. Steel is burned at a high temperature up to an extent that it becomes malleable, after which, an external force is applied to it, either by hammering or pressing to give it the desired shape. The process of burning can be further extended into the heating process, where steel is heated and melted. The melted steel is then transferred into molds and cooled, which causes it to take the shape of the mold. This fabrication method helps make good use out of bits, pieces, or non-uniformly shaped steel.
Forming
Forming is probably one of the most complicated methods. In this process, steel is manipulated physically to give it the desired shape and size. Forming is also sometimes referred to as folding, as steel sheets are folded at an angle of 90 degrees repeatedly to form it into the required object. Since the process is quite complex, it requires the facility to have high-tech equipment and tools.
Cutting
Cutting is yet another common steel fabrication method used out there. During this process, steel is simply cut into small sizes as needed. For the cutting operation, different types of machinery, with high endurance blades, lasers, or plasma, are used. Cutting is more of an initial steel fabrication stage, as the cut steel is further manipulated to take the desired form.
Welding
Welding is also a very general practice followed in the steel fabrication method. Not all the steel grades and types can be welded easily, and so, it is a process that is exclusive to only a few kinds of steel. Quite obviously, the process involves joining two pieces of steel together. This can be achieved either by using welding wire or by applying heat to either piece of steel.
Apart from the four methods of fabrication mentioned above, there are also methods like machining, punching, shearing, stamping, casting, and so on. These steel fabrication methods are also widely used on small and big scales.
How To Estimate Structural Steel Fabrication?
Structural Steel fabrication can be estimated in a very easy and organized manner provided that you have the necessary information. You need to know the grade and type of steel that you’re using, and accordingly, their value in the current market. Also, you need to know what method you’re going to use to get the steel into the required forms. Ultimately, you might need to consider the mechanism that you’re looking to apply to erect your structure, whether it’s steel or concrete.
And finally, you’ll need to estimate the property value where the structure is going to be located. Once you have all this information gathered, you could easily estimate the structural steel fabrication. This way, you could also evaluate the worth of your overall project, which is quite a crucial thing to know before starting one.
Raw Material Involved In Steel Fabrication
There are quite a few raw materials that are used in the steel fabrication process. The use of these raw materials depends on the particular steel fabrication method. Before getting your hands on these items, you must understand the specific steel fabrication method well.
Casting
Castings are used during the casting process of steel fabrication. In this process, the steel is melted and poured into the desired molds or casting, and then cooled down to give it the required shape. Depending on the end product that you require after the steel fabrication process, you need to have castings of different shapes and forms.
Welding Wire
Welding wires are used typically in the welding process, which is one of the common steel fabrication methods. Welding wires are melted during the welding process and poured over a piece of steel that is meant to be welded with another piece of steel. Since the materials being welded is steel itself, the welding wire also needs to be made with the same grade of steel.
Steel Plate
Steel Plate is generally used in the cutting process. It is also one of the most widely used steel fabrication methods. The steel plates are cut into halves and then further, to give it the desired shape and size. Steel plate is also used widely in the forming/ folding process. They are folded at an angle of 90 degrees, and then manipulated using high-end machines to give them the required form and qualities.
Formed Steel
Once the steel is formed, it can be used further as a raw material to shape it into necessary steel-based products. Formed steel can be burned, cut, or cast to transform it into the required item. As a matter of fact, formed steel is the most diverse raw material used in the steel fabrication process.
Related Content:- An Introduction To Forging Steel Processes
Benefit Of Stainless Steel For Steel Fabrication Projects
It doesn’t really matter what field or purpose the stainless steel is being used in/ for, using stainless steel gives you the edge over using other types of steel. It is for a reason that the steel types that fall under the stainless steel category are considered the most superior alloys.
- Stainless steel is completely resistant to oxidation and highly resistant to corrosion which makes it a valuable steel type to be considered for steel fabrication.
- Stainless steel is known for its high strength, durability and ductility, which makes its products the ideal fit for use in different sectors, which signifies a wide scope of stainless steel fabrication.
- There are so many varieties of stainless steel, and so, the fabricated stainless steel can be used not just in households but also in commercial and highly sophisticated sectors.
Hama Steel offers you probably the best quality steel-based products that are manufactured using high standard steel fabrication processes. Apart from excellent grade products, they also offer good customer service. Go for Hama Steel for all your steel-based requirements.