
Plate Processing Company
Precautions to Take During Stainless Steel Plate Processing
Precautions to Take During Stainless Steel Plate Processing
Stainless steel plate fabrication is an important area of manufacturing that is applied across many industries in Houston, ranging from construction to automotive projects. Stainless steel is a highly used metal in Houston due to its durability, resistance to corrosion, and attractive appearance.
However, its fabrication is required to make it usable for such projects. So, let us look at the common preparations made by stainless steel plate processing services in Houston.
Precaution Steps to Take Prior to Stainless Steel Plate Processing
Proper Tools for Handling Raw Material
Their heavy weight and sharp edges warrant careful handling using equipment such as forklifts with padded tongs or non-abrasive slings to avoid harming the personnel as well as the building.
Personal protective clothing, protective shoes, and cut-resistant gloves are worn by employees working for stainless steel plate pretreatment services to minimize the potential for physical injury when carrying and loading raw material.
Workplace and Tool Cleaning
Something that stainless steel plate processing services need to take measures to ensure is that the stainless steel is not contaminated. Exposure to even small amounts of carbon steel or iron particles has a tendency to make it rust or corrode.
To avoid that, stainless steel plate processing services use special tools and handling surfaces for handling stainless steel. Work areas are also cleaned routinely by stainless steel plate processing companies to eliminate any shavings, debris, and dust from previous jobs.
Cross-contamination is prevented so that the final product has corrosion resistance and a clean finish.
Proper Cutting Techniques
Cutting stainless steel plates is done using precise methods to avoid warping, discoloration, or weakening of the structures. Houston companies use plasma cutting when processing stainless steel plates.
Each of them has their own specific needs and safety guidelines to be followed. Plasma cutting, for one, emits intensive heat and fumes, and so needs proper ventilation as well as PPE such as face shields and breathing masks.
Grinding Protection
In order to minimize the risk of corrosion of the metal and make the steel plate look better, surface finishing takes the form of grinding. Grinding, buffing, and polishing are accomplished by stainless steel plate processing services using tools made for stainless steel purposes only.
Operations with the incorrect tools and material may embed foreign particles into the surface, which could form rust spots on the surface after a while. Eye protection and breathing protection are also used by the operators since the operations produce metal particles and potentially hazardous dust.
Welding Considerations
Wrong welding of stainless steel can create warping, sensitization, and intergranular corrosion issues. Pre-cleaning the weld area, filler material compatibility, and control over heat input are some of the major practices at stainless steel plate fabrication services. Postweld treatments may also be necessary to restore corrosion resistance.
Welders also undergo stainless-specific training and are provided with complete PPE, which includes helmets, gloves, and protective clothing.
Contact Apache Steel Works today for reliable stainless steel plate processing services in Houston.