Month: June 2022

What Is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy of several different types of metal that, when combined, are more resistant to corrosion than any of the metals used individually. This makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from cladding to commercial kitchens.

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron with a minimum of 10.5% chromium. This forms a thin passive layer on the surface which protects the metal from corrosion and oxidation. It is this passive layer that gives stainless steel its name, as it is truly resistant to staining and corrosion.

There are a number of grades of stainless steel, each with different properties, but all with the common denominator of high resistance to rusting and staining. This makes stainless steel an ideal choice for a wide range of applications where hygiene is paramount, such as in the food and beverage industry, healthcare or pharmaceuticals. It is also often used in more corrosive environments such as marine engineering or chemical processing.

As well as being highly resistant to corrosion, stainless steel has a number of other advantages which make it an ideal choice for many applications. It is a very strong metal, making it perfect for fabricating into products which need to withstand high levels of wear and tear. It is also very easy to clean, as it is non-porous, meaning that bacteria and dirt cannot penetrate the surface.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of stainless steel:

Strong and Durable

Stainless steel is a very strong metal, making it ideal for fabricating products which need to withstand high levels of wear and tear. It is also very difficult to break or bend, making it perfect for products which need to be strong and durable.

Long Lifespan

Stainless steel is a very long-lasting material, meaning that products made from it will have a long lifespan. This makes it perfect for items which need to be used on a daily basis, such as cutlery or sinks.

Corrosion Resistance

One of the most important benefits of stainless steel is its resistance to corrosion. This makes it an ideal material for use in many different environments, including outdoor and marine applications.

The chromium in the stainless steel reacts with oxygen in the air to form a thin layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the metal. This layer protects the metal from further oxidation and corrosion.

Ease of Maintenance

Another benefit of stainless steel is that it is very easy to keep clean and maintain. This is due to its resistance to corrosion and ability to be cleaned easily.

Stainless steel can be cleaned with a variety of different methods, including using detergents, soap, and water. It is also possible to use specialised cleaning products which are designed for use on stainless steel.

Hygienic Properties

The hygienic properties of stainless steel make it an ideal material for use in many different applications, such as commercial kitchens and hospitals.

This is because stainless steel is non-porous and does not absorb liquids or dirt. This means that it is very easy to clean and disinfect, making it ideal for use in environments where hygiene is of paramount importance.

Applications

The many benefits of stainless steel make it an ideal material for use in a wide range of applications. These include:

• Cladding – Stainless steel cladding is often used on buildings to provide a modern and stylish finish. It is also very easy to clean and maintain, making it an ideal choice for use in commercial and public buildings.
• Fabrication – Stainless steel is often used in the fabrication of products which need to be strong and durable. It is also very easy to work with, making it ideal for use in a wide range of applications.
• Food and Beverage Industry – The food and beverage industry often uses stainless steel due to its resistance to corrosion and easy maintenance.
• Marine – Stainless steel is often used in marine applications due to its resistance to corrosion.
• Kitchens – Stainless steel is often used in the fabrication of commercial kitchens due to its resistance to corrosion and ability to be easily cleaned.
• Hospitals – The hygienic properties of stainless steel make it an ideal choice for use in hospitals and other healthcare environments.

About Us

FEM Fabrication is a leading provider of high-quality stainless steel fabrication services. We specialise in the manufacture, installation, and maintenance of a wide range of stainless steel products.

If you would like to find out more about our services, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We would be more than happy to discuss your requirements with you and provide you with a free quotation.

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MIG Welding is a process that is an effective alternative compared to MMA. This guide explores everything that you need to know about the process, including the key benefits.  

MIG welding or Metal Inert Gas Welding refers to an arc welding process. It uses a solid continuous wire electrode which is heated and fed directly into the weld pool. Two base materials are then melted together to ensure a join is formed. Along with the electrode, a shielding gas is also fed into the pool. This ensures that it is protected from any contaminants which may be airborne.  

Originally, this process was developed in 1949 and used specifically to weld aluminium. Helium gas was used to protect the weld pool as it was easily accessible. After 1952, this process began to increase in popularity across the UK. Argon was used as a shielding gas and the process was utilised to weld various carbon steels.  

Advantages Of MIG Welding 

 There are various advantages of using MIG welding. For instance, MIG welding is commonly viewed as a better alternative compared to MMA welding. Part of the right for this is that it provides a higher level of productivity as well as a high deposition rate. The process is more productive because a considerable amount of time is saved as welders do not need to repeatedly brush the weld or constantly change over the rods.  

 MIG welding is also considered to be a semi-automatic process, reducing the labour required. Part of the reason for this is that the wire feed rate, as well as the arc length, are controlled by a power source. However, the wire position and travel speed must both be controlled manually. If no manual intervention is required using a mechanised system, then the process is considered to be totally automatic.  

 Simple And Easy To Learn 

 MIG welding will also provide a high level of pool visibility. This ensures that it is easier to create a high quality weld. It also means that MIG welding is simple to learn. Generally speaking, it is possible to learn the process of MIG welding in just a few hours. Some instructors state that they can offer complete training in just 20 minutes. The majority of the time here is spent on learning how to clean the weld. In contrast, tig welding takes a lot more time. This is why MIG welding is often referred to as a “point and shoot” job.  

 Highly Versatile  

 Another key advantage of MIG welding is that it is a versatile solution. It can be used with a range of different metals and alloys through semi-automatic as well as automatic processes. Indeed, it can be used to weld various metals including: 

• Aluminium 
• Stainless steel 
• Mild steel 
• Magnesium  
• Nickel 
• Iron

It can also be used for countless alloys of these metals too.  

Eco-Friendly And Efficient 

 MIG welding is considered to be an efficient and clean process. The shielding gas ensures that there is limited loss of alloying elements when the metal is transferred across the arc. There is also no slag created that needs to be removed and very minor levels of splatter. A quick clean-up ensures that welders can immediately get back to work and continue with this process.  

 Since the process uses a continuously fed wire, this also ensures that welding speed is dramatically increased. This can occur without any impact on the quality of the product that is created.  

Uses Of MIG Welding 

 MIG welding is a process that can be used in a variety of different ways. This is a process that will be useful for a variety of home welding projects. However, it may also be utilised in an industrial setting as well.  

 A key advantage of MIG welding is that it will provide a strong weld for incredible thin metals. This is why it is commonly used to either repair or assemble the body or the interior of vehicles.  

 Indeed, MIG welding is used today in virtually every welding industry. It can be used for medium-sized industrial companies for the construction of ships, pipelines and pressurised vessels.  

 The process is also commonly used in sheet metal factories including body shops. You can even get a MIG welding machine that is perfect for home use.  

 We hope this helps you understand some of the key advantages of the MIG welding process and why it is commonly used across the welding industry today. Clean, efficient and guaranteed to provide high-quality results, there are countless reasons to rely on this process.  

If you would like to know more about our bespoke fabrication services, contact our team who will be happy to help.

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