Stainless Steel Fabrication & Forming
Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Fabrication and Forming Services
At Integrated Manufacturing Solutions, we proudly serve as the complete metalworking and fabrication extension of your business. This allows you to focus on creating new products and better serving your customers.
Our knowledge of all types of metal materials and fabrication is extensive, including stainless steel fabrication. Throughout the upper midwest, businesses of all sizes trust us to provide precise, high-quality:
We think of ourselves as your partner for precision metal fabrication. Our engineers work closely with you to select the right type of metal for your project, then help form it into parts, prototypes or finished products. Whatever creation you dream up, we can make it happen in a deliverable form.
Understanding a little more about the different types of metals we work with makes you a more informed customer. Our engineers are here to help you make sense of stainless steel metal fabrication!
One of the most common types of metals across industries is stainless steel. Here’s some helpful information about how stainless steel is made and used, and why it might be a great choice for your part, prototype, or product.
What are Some Stainless Steel Varieties?
Mixing the iron, chromium and other additives in specific percentages produces several types of stainless steel. Each has particular qualities that make it great in specific uses. Here are a few of the different types of stainless steel:
Austenitic Stainless Steel
This variety includes Iron, plus 16% chromium and 6% nickel. The manufacturing process is tweaked to boost corrosion resistance. Austenitic stainless is really tough and can handle extreme temperatures. Most stainless steel products are made from Austenitic stainless steel.
Ferritic Stainless Steel
This type of stainless steel has only iron and chromium. However, depending on the exact intended use, the chromium content can be between 10.5 and 18 percent. Ferritic Stainless steel is often a bit harder to fabricate, but has a high level of resistance to corrosion.
Duplex Stainless Steel
This type of steel mixes both austenitic and ferric stainless varieties. It combines some of the best properties of both.
Each one of these varieties has uses that it excels at. As your partner in metal fabrication, we know the ins and outs of working with any variety. We can weld it, fabricate and shape any variety to meet your precise needs.
Some types of stainless steel are easier to weld than others. Our engineers can consult with you on making a material choice, so you know what to expect when you get to the fabrication process.
What Are Stainless Steel Grades?
You may have heard of stainless steel being referred to by its grade. For instance, the most common type is called “304 stainless steel.” This refers to a numbering system created by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) for identifying the exact stainless steel alloy.
You’ll find the 200 series used in many consumer products like appliances, cutlery and around the home. The 300 series is used in cooking and automotive items, as well as in medical instruments. The 400 series is found in gas turbines and agricultural equipment.
Whatever grade of stainless steel you select, you can be sure we have the expertise and experience to work with it. We serve as your sheet metal fabrication partner in achieving your manufacturing goals.
How is Stainless Steel Made?
While the end product dictates the exact method of manufacture, there are some basic steps to creating any type of stainless steel.
All stainless steel comes from molten alloy. Super-hot furnaces mix the metal alloys into a liquid form. This allows recycled stainless steel to be added, which makes it efficient and environmentally friendly.
From there, the carbon content of the steel is optimized to the proper level. While carbon adds strength, too much of it can create challenges when it comes to welding.
The liquid steel is then cast into forms. Depending on the end product, these can be in flat slabs, rods, tubes, or other shapes. When it comes time to use the stainless steel in the manufacturing process, it is then put through additional steps like hot or cold rolling, pickling, and cutting.
Our engineers have extensive experience and knowledge when it comes to the process of making stainless steel, and exactly how to work with it.
Stainless Steel Applications
Almost everyone has something made of stainless steel in their home, auto, or business. With their resistance to corrosion and overall flexibility, thin sheets are used in both home appliances and industrial applications.
Take a Minnesota-based IMS client, for example. They need a consistent supply of steel drip pans, but can’t deal with any corrosion. Stainless steel is the perfect IMS offering for them.
For industry, the durability and corrosion resistance give stainless steel limitless possibilities.
Stainless steel is used in the following industries:
Whatever application you select, Integrated manufacturing solutions can weld, powder coat, and assemble your stainless steel to achieve your desired end result. All of our welders have extensive experience working with all types of stainless steel.
What is Stainless Steel?
Durable and versatile are two of the most common words used to describe stainless steel. It’s used in appliances; consumer goods; industrial parts, and anywhere else where corrosion resistance and long life are desired.
The exact composition of stainless steel can vary depending on the final intended use. That’s one of the things that makes stainless steel so great: it can be adaptable to many uses!
To start out with, stainless steel is an alloy of iron and chromium. To be called “stainless steel,” it must be made with at least 10.5% chromium. Let’s look at some of the other elements that can be added during stainless steel fabrication, depending on the desired final result:
- Nickel
- Carbon
- Copper
- Silicon
Integrated Manufacturing Solutions is Your Partner in All Your Metal Fabrication Needs
We’re proud to be the leading metal fabrication service provider in the upper midwest. Throughout Minnesota and beyond, our team of engineers and professionals has helped our clients bring their projects to life.
By working closely with you, we can help improve your existing designs, making fabrication more efficient and profitable. At the same time, by leveraging our expertise, you’ll be able to focus on what you do best: serving your customers.
Table of Contents
Ready for a Free Quote?
We proudly serve the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. It only takes a minute! Select the service you’d like, upload your designs, and a member of our team will respond with a free quote as soon as possible. If you don’t have design mockups, or need some help figuring out a design, we’d love to help! Simply give us a call and a member of our team would be happy to answer any questions you have.
Lead Time
3 days
Parts Completed
22,000
Manufacturing Footprint
55,000 sq ft.
- All uploads are secure and confidential
