Production Methods of Stainless Steel Profiles

type steel strip mounted on the adhesive, designed for finishing tile edges and corners, precisely marks the line of the covering edge and closes it. Made of SS304 acid resistant stainless steel with low corrosion index. Its properties makes it suitable for applications in the catering industry, HoReCa facilities, hospitals as well as in the construction engineering and other facilities of professional use.

There are several production methods and finishes available to meet the demands of individual projects. We produce special shapes and stainless steel profiles using standard hot and cold rolling. We also offer state-of-the-art technologies, such as laser fusion and hybrid profile construction.

Our hot rolled stainless steel profiles and alloy shapes are produced by forming wire rod in a continuous rolling process at a temperature of about 2012 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot rolling is the most economical technology to produce steel sections. These sections are suitable for general building and construction. We are able to produce common shapes, such as flat bars, stainless steel beams, columns, and stainless steel channels at considerable cost savings to our customers.

Cold rolled stainless steel profiles are produced by forming round wire rod by a continuous rolling process at an ambient temperature. That method  is an efficient manufacturing process for smaller shapes and sections. Cold rolled profiles offer some advantages, including excellent surface finish and tight tolerances. Hence, cold rolling produces hard, strong, and ductile stainless steel profiles.

Laser fusion is extremely efficient and our most popular method. It offers nearly limitless capabilities and design options. The method welds individual components together to make complete fused profiles, such as stainless steel beams, channels, hollow shapes, and custom sections. Our lasers cut with minute precision. Welds are monolithic and not noticeable. Edges are sharp and lines are clean. Finishes on laser fused profiles are typically better than with other production methods.

Finishes of Stainless Steel Profiles

Bead Blasted and Pickled is the standard finish for stainless steel  profiles from Stainless Structurals America. We create it by micro bead blasting and pickling laser fused profiles. Hence, this finish is a uniform matte surface with low reflectivity.

Mirror finish is the most reflective polished finish. It literally takes on the look of a reflective surface. This is a custom finish.

Brushed stainless steel profiles have a directional pattern with a satin sheen to it. So it is a distinctive look that retains some of its metallic luster and exhibits very fine parallel, brushed lines. This is also a custom finish.

Our stainless steel profiles come in a variety finishes.

Stainless Steel Profiles in Different Industries

The use of stainless steel spans the gamut of industries. For example, it is used as a building material, notably in Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS) applications. It is also used in interior design, landscapes, commercial and home products, and for art installations.

Stainless Steel Angles – The Most Popular Profiles

Stainless steel angles are the profiles that are used the most and for the most applications amongst the commodities. Depending on the production technology, there are different types.

Stainless Steel Angles And Their Characteristic Features

Angle bars in stainless steel are available in the same dimensions like the ones in carbon steel (S235-S355). This fact allows an easier calculation and congruent planning. This is especially regarding projects, which need the advantages of the corrosion resistant characteristic of stainless steel angles. Due to their geometry, we also call angle bars L-profiles. In general, L-profiles are available in the following stainless steel grades: 304 and 304L, 316 and 316L as well as 316Ti. Angle bars are the most basic stainless steel profiles for structural application.

Equal and Unequal Stainless Steel Angles

Equal stainless steel angles are the most common ones. The smallest available size is 10x10x2 millimetres. Looking at bigger sizes, stainless steel angles can reach up to 200x200x20 millimetres. Bigger angle bars are usually special profiles with very rare use.

Unequal stainless steel angles also follow the sizes of the carbon steel counterparts. The smallest is the size of 20x10x3 millimetres and the biggest 200x150x15 millimetres. The standard length of stainless steel angle bars is 6 metres.

Production Of Stainless Steel Angles

Depending on production, technology and use, there are different types for angle bars in stainless steel and carbon steel.

Hot Rolling

Hot rolling of stainless steel angles is the most cost-efficient production method. It is not very costly and complex to hot roll L-profiles. Therefore, it is the economic alternative to achieve the commodities. However, with this technology one receives a product with limited re-quirement in regard of the tolerances, round angles and an internal radius, which can be up to the double amount of the material thickness.

Cold Rolling

Cold rolling of angle bars in stainless steel grants a fine and bright profile surface. These profiles have tight tolerances and, on the inside as well as on the outside, very small radii.

Such stainless steel angles will often be used in aesthetic applications, e.g. in the furniture construction. They are also often mirror polished, which appears to be easy, due to the already smooth surface.

The available dimensions of cold rolled stainless steel angles are limited though, and reach only the size up to 60x60x6 millimetres.

Cold Drawing

Cold drawing of angle bars in stainless steel is another production method, which allows very precise sections. The tolerances for these stainless steel profiles are within the h11 scope. All corners are sharp and there is no inner radius.

The dimensional range for cold drawn stainless steel angles is similar to the one of cold rolled L-profiles. Production lengths lie between 3 to 4 metres. They also are used in aesthetical applications. However, the biggest range of use is for machine construction, where the high level of precision and dimensional accuracy is needed.

Laser Welded Stainless Steel Angles

The worldwide annual consumption for angle bars bigger than 150 millimitres is so low that it does not reach the minimum quantity for the hot rolling process. Therefore, laser welded stainless steel angles will be the better choice. We produce the L-profiles by welding together two stainless steel flat bars. The result is sharp edged, has a marginal inside welding seam at a maximum of two millimetres and has tight tolerances.

Cold Forming or Press Braking

Cold forming and press braking are two other similar technologies to produce angle bars. Both production methods have in common, that they generate a bend radius on the inside and outside. The strong cold deformation leads to a cold work hardening of the stainless steel, which is not only undesirable but can also have other negative consequences.

When cold forming, flat bars are guided into a rolling stand at room temperature. There they will be rolled until they reach the desired shape. We use this method for geometries with little and thin-walled sizes. Quite often, a minimum quantity of a few kilometres are necessary to cold form.

Press Brake Stainless Steel Angles

Press braking on the other hand is to produce single bars only. A particular mould and arbor press forms a flat bar positioned in a trimming press to a stainless steel angle.

Depending on the press capacity of the machine, it can form material thicknesses up to 20 millimeters. Usually, the press braking technology creates very big stainless steel angles, where one angle leg can be up to one metre.

Stainless Steel Profiles in Construction

The strength, durability, and handsomeness of stainless steel profiles make them an ideal product for buildings that are structurally expressive. Many architects and engineers are opting for exposed structural elements and expansive curtain wall systems that make bold statements and allow for open floor plans and more natural daylight.

Unique Characteristics make Stainless Steel Profiles a Perfect Choice

The corrosion resistance and hygienic nature of this material makes it a perfect choice for health care facilities and surgical centers, medical laboratories and manufacturing plants, school kitchens and cafeterias, and institutional bathing facilities. Stainless steel profiles are also a great material for industrial projects, such as off-shore oil rigs.

Landscape designers are embracing stainless steel for railing systems, guardrails, light bollards, entrance canopies, stair tread nosings, and outdoor furniture. The material does not succumb to rust.

Furthermore, interior designers find stainless steel to be ideal for surface finishes, floating stairs, shelving, and display systems.