ALUMINUM FABRICATION

Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements on earth. Its excellent properties make it one of the most versatile materials used in manufacturing. Aluminum is lightweight, strong, ductile, joinable, reflective, heat-conducting, electrical conducting, corrosion resistant, non-toxic, non-combustible, and even recyclable. Aluminum is made into three types of flat-rolled products classified by thickness; plate (1/4 inch or more), sheet (between 1/4 inch and .008 inch), and foil (up to .0079 inch). It has hundreds of applications from aerospace and other forms of transportation, to construction and cooking materials.

Aluminum is made into a wide variety of products from airplanes, cars, and spacecraft to computers, bike frames, cans, and foil. Many applications may be involved depending on the final product. Marine and aircraft companies will finish every aluminum part where appearance is crucial. A variety of discs are used, but semi-open PSA discs are recommended. Aluminum fabrication involves a variety of abrasives including cut-off wheels and grinding wheels, flap discs, fiber discs, coated belts, and non-woven products.

Mild Steel Fabrication

Mild steel is a type of carbon steel also known as “low carbon steel” (up to 0.3%) and essentially contains a combination of iron and carbon. Its low carbon content makes it neither extremely ductile nor brittle. Mild steel is strong, magnetic, and subject to rust if not properly coated. Almost limitless in terms of potential end-products, mild steel’s affordability and ease of use contribute to its use in nearly any project needing vast amounts of metal.

Mild steel fabrication involves making both finished products and components. It is the most common steel around and is everywhere you look. From girders and beams in construction to cars, street signs, pipelines, and fences, mild steel is vastly used. Weld removal, surface prep deburring, and cleaning and finishing processes utilize a wide range of abrasives such as cut-off wheels, grinding wheels, coated belts, flap discs, fiber discs, and non-woven products.

STAINLESS STEEL FABRICATION

Stainless Steel is a steel alloy containing a minimum of 10.5% chromium. Other elements may include iron, nickel, and manganese. Stainless steel is favored for its corrosion resistance, low maintenance, and luster. It does not easily rust, stain, or corrode with water like ordinary steel. Milled into coils, sheets, plates, bars wire, and tubing, its widely used in cookware, cutlery, household hardware, appliances, surgical instruments, and industrial equipment. It is also utilized in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. Its corrosion resistance and ability to be sterilized make it suitable for commercial kitchens and food processing plants. There are many different types and grades of stainless steel available and used where the properties of steel and corrosion resistance are necessary.

Stainless steel fabrication is an extremely diverse market with demanding applications. From ID bore polishing to flat finishing a specific Ra value, stainless fabricators follow technical requirements for their applications. The stainless fabrication industry commonly measures scratch depth and relies on the aesthetic finish of products, ranging from tanks and piping to structural components.

Food & beverage and pharmaceutical equipment fabrication are extremely specialized. Intense finishing requirements mandated by the FDA command a specific catalog of abrasive applications. Packaging machinery is similar to food, beverage, and pharmaceutical equipment, due to the similarities in materials used. Industrial valves or fluid transfer valves also require FDA mandates, in which the internal tubing must meet a required finish to pass inspection.