If an application requires durable steel that’s designed to last, they’re likely to use stainless steel. Stainless steels are iron-based alloys that include a chromium content of at least 10.5% or higher. This level of chromium content facilitates the development of a passive chromium oxide layer on the steel’s surface, which allows for optimal corrosion resistance for every grade of stainless steel.
Stainless steel also tends to include other alloy content, including carbon, nickel, manganese, silicon, and molybdenum, each of which enhances certain stainless steel properties. Manufacturers often alloy stainless steel with these elements to increase stainless steel’s heat resistance, formability, and durability based on the needs of a particular application.
Depending on what you require, multiple grades exist to help you complete your next project. By understanding the differences between each grade, you’ll better be able to make the right selection.
300 Series Stainless Steel
The most popular stainless steel grade is the 300 series. 300 series stainless steels typically include nickel, chromium, and molybdenum content. They provide superior corrosion resistance, along with other benefits such as:
Excellent machinability
A non-magnetic austenitic crystalline structure
Resistance to high temperatures
Broad finishing options
Easy maintenance
Resistance to etching, scratching, and cracking
Thermal shock resistance
High creep strength
Nitriding and carburization resistance
Each of the 300 series stainless steel grades features different properties. These grades include:
303
303 stainless steel is extremely machinable because of its phosphorus and sulfur content. Applications for this steel include fittings, bolts, gears, and nuts in the aerospace industry.
304
The majority of applications that use 300 series stainless steel use grade 304. The automotive, nuclear, food and beverage, and shipping industries often use this grade. Additionally, welding applications often use a variation called 304L, which features a reduced amount of carbon content.
316
Some applications use 316 stainless steel due to its excellent corrosion resistance, particularly to chlorides like seawater and salt. The increased nickel and molybdenum content allows for this superior corrosion resistance. 316L is a low-carbon variation of this steel. 316 stainless steel often appears in marine and nuclear environments, while the pharmaceutical and chemical industries frequently rely on 316L.
Applications for 300 series stainless steels include a variety of materials in the automotive, construction, and aerospace industries, among many others.
400 Series Stainless Steel
For applications that require adequate corrosion resistance and a more cost-effective solution, 400 series stainless steel grades are available. This series normally contains a combination of manganese and chromium content. While these grades are resistant to corrosion, they aren’t as corrosion-resistant as the 300 series. Because of this, these grades tend to cost less.
Some of the key characteristics of 400 series stainless steel grades include:
Superior strength compared to carbon steel
A magnetic martensitic crystalline structure
Good surface finishing options
Non-hardenable via heat treating
Sufficient sustainability for applications requiring thinner materials and reduced weight
Resistance to scaling at high temperatures
Additional benefits include easy machinability, heat treatability to a wide range of strength and hardness levels, and good ductility.
The two main grades of 400 series stainless steel include:
416
This stainless steel grade contains sulfur for increased machinability. The quality of 416 stainless steel makes it compatible with many applications, including pumps, gears, valves, studs, and washing machine parts.
440C
If applications need stainless steel with high resistance to wear and increased durability, 440C stainless steel is a popular option. However, it’s not as corrosion-resistant as other grades. Nozzles, surgical instruments, and bearings use 440C stainless steel, along with other items that require material to retain its shape.
Applications for 400 series stainless steel include machine components, medical implements, and other parts that require added machinability and strength.
Stainless Steel from AAA Metals
For a selection of high-quality stainless steel products, turn to the experts at AAA Metals Company Inc. Since 1978, we’ve developed into a leading supplier of raw materials, including plates, discs, rings, bars, and much more using stainless steel and other alloys.
If you would like additional information about our metal stock and services, contact us today. To get started on a project using stainless steel or other alloys, request a quote.
Stainless steel bars are fabricated from raw metal alloys with precise dimensions and cross-sectional geometries. Stock can be quickly cut to the right length, further modified by manufacturing and machining processes, and more. Learn more about our array of stainless steel bar options and how AAA Metals can help with your next project.
Stainless Steel Bar Options and Common Applications
Steel bar stock is a step closer to the completion of your next manufacturing project than starting with raw steel material. Metal bar stock is used in applications across every industry around the world. Not only is it convenient, but the bars are treated to resist corrosion, stay durable throughout a long lifespan in different consumer, commercial, and industrial conditions, and resist physical damage. All bars start as round bar stock before being sized and drawn through the coil line to create precise cross-sectional shapes.
With steel bar stock, you can quickly manufacture or machine uniform products for sale or use. At AAA Metals, we provide the following stainless steel bar options:
Round Bar
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Round bars can be used to produce a wide range of consumer and commercial products, structural components, and more. The rounded edges are finished to eliminate the risk of sharp edges down the length of the material. We provide round bar stock made from different stainless steel varieties, such as: 303 stainless steel, which responds well to machining and resists corrosion; 304 stainless steel, which is versatile and heat-resistant; and 316 stainless steel, which has a high molybdenum content to withstand corrosion in marine, outdoor, and chemically caustic environments.
Some common applications of round bars include fasteners, shafts, and railings.
Square bars are categorized by their size, or the length of one side of its face. Square bars are available in a variety of sizes and lengths at AAA Metals, as well as in a range of popular stainless steel alloys. Square bars are commonly used as piers and supports in industrial or construction applications, though they can also be used in ornamental fabrications. Square bars are durable, strong, resistant to damage, and versatile.
Hex bars are available in an array of sizes and lengths, and they have a hexagonal cross-section. Size is categorized by the distance from one flat face to the flat face on the opposite side of the steel hex bar, rather than the length of a given face.
Because of the bar’s hexagonal shape, it’s commonly used to produce volumes of fasteners, such as washers, nuts, and other fittings. The lengths of bar can be cut down to size and then drilled or machined to create threaded openings throughout its length.
Flat stainless steel bars are generally available in two varieties: edge-treated bars with sheared, cost-effective edges that are then smoothed as the bar is flattened; and the stainless steel flat bars, which are uniformly produced through hot rolling, annealing, and pickling (HRAP) or cold drawing. Edge-treated flat bars are cost effective, while true bars are precise and sharp. Stainless steel flat bars are available in many sizes, thicknesses, and stainless steel alloys.
AAA Metals, Your Trusted Stainless Steel Bar Supplier
At AAA Metals, we specialize in complete metalforming and manufacturing solutions. Our specialties include custom services such as cutting, grinding, and polishing for low-volume and high-volume projects.
We also provide high quality metal stock and complete metal pieces, so you can simplify your supply chain. Our inventory includes bars in stainless steel, nickel alloy, titanium, and hard-to-find metals, so you can obtain stock, milled, and machined pieces quickly.
Metal cutting is a manufacturing process in which a larger piece of material is separated into smaller pieces or parts. There are numerous metal cutting methods available, each of which offers distinct benefits and limitations that make it suitable for different manufacturing projects. Below, we highlight some of the most common, outlining how they work, what advantages and disadvantages they have, what types of metals they cut, and what applications they are used in to help industry professionals choose the best method for their needs:
Sawing—also sometimes referred to as a saw cutting—is a cutting method that utilizes a saw blade—i.e., a tool with sharp metal teeth—to cut material into more manageable sections or specific shapes and sizes. The primary types of saw cutting employed by manufacturers are circular saw cutting and band saw cutting. Circular saw cutting uses a circular blade that cuts material as it spins, while band saw cutting uses an extended straight blade that provides continuous, uniform action.
Advantages Offered
This cutting method offers several advantages over some of the other metal cutting methods. For example, it allows for close tolerance cutting, which reduces the amount of waste generated during cutting operations. Additionally, it offers both fast cutting speeds and high cut quality, which results in quicker turnaround without a need for further finishing procedures. Altogether, these result in lower overall project costs for some applications.
Materials Used
Sawing accommodates a variety of metals, including, but not limited to, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, high-temperature alloys, nickel alloys, stainless steel, and titanium. It can cut these materials in bar, plate, pipe and tube form. However, it is best suited for cutting materials with greater thicknesses or varying cross-sections since the equipment can have difficulty keeping thin, flat material stable as it is cut.
Industries Served
Some of the industries that regularly rely on saw cutting to help produce their parts and products include aerospace, architectural, biotechnology, chemical, food processing, marine, packaging, and pharmaceutical.
Laser cutting is a cutting method that employs high-powered, focused beams of light to heat, melt, and cut through material without touching it directly. It can utilize a variety of cutting and removal mechanisms to suit different materials and cutting requirements. In addition to separating larger pieces into smaller pieces or parts, the laser technology can also be used to etch or engrave materials for functional and aesthetic purposes.
Advantages Offered
Today, many laser cutting technologies come with computerized controls. These systems help position and move the laser across the material precisely and accurately, ensuring the cut piece has the proper shape and size. In addition to high cutting precision and accuracy, other advantages laser cutting offers over some of the other metal cutting methods include smaller maintenance and replacement costs, lower chance of material contamination, and greater workplace safety.
Materials Used
This metal cutting method can be used on a wide range of materials. It is often employed to cut plates and sheets made from aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, stainless steel, and titanium. It is not suitable for use with heat-sensitive or reflective materials since the former may deform while the latter may cause damage to the equipment.
Industries Served
Laser cutting finds application in the manufacturing operations of a wide range of industries. Some of the industries that regularly use it include aerospace, architectural, biotechnology, chemical, food processing, marine, packaging, and pharmaceutical.
Waterjet cutting is a metal cutting method that utilizes pressurized water to cut material into the desired shape and size. The high-pressure streams of water—i.e., waterjets—can also have added abrasives, such as aluminum oxide or garnet, to aid the cutting process, ensuring a complete cut through even very thick or very hard materials.
Advantages Offered
Waterjet cutting is a cold cutting method, meaning it does not require a material to be heated or stressed by machinery. As a result, it generates a smaller heat affected zone (HAZ) during cutting operations, which reduces the risk of material thermally distorting. Additionally, compared to laser cutting, it cuts thicker materials to tighter tolerances and produces less slag byproducts.
Materials Used
This metal cutting method works well with a variety of materials, such as aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, steel, and titanium. It can be used to cut plates and sheets up to 6 inches in thickness.
Industries Served
Waterjet cutting can make 2D and 3D cuts, depending on the equipment. This quality allows manufacturers to make simple and complex components for various industries. Examples of waterjet cut parts and products include engines, turbine blades, and control panels for the aerospace industry and pipes and pumps for the marine industry.
Shearing is a metal cutting method that uses a moving upper blade and a stationary lower blade that are slightly offset from one another to cut material. As the upper blade descends, it pushes the material down on the lower blade. The pressure exerted deforms the material, eventually causing it to strain and give way. This forms the cut.
Advantages Offered
Compared to other cutting methods, shearing is much more versatile. In addition to cutting, shearing machines can also be used to bend, punch, and press metal materials. The process also produces virtually no waste since no chips are generated during cutting operations, which can help reduce overall material costs.
Materials Used
This cutting method is best suited for plate and sheet materials. Thick materials may require too much force to cut, while hollow materials may deform when cut. Typical materials used include aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, nickel, stainless steel, and titanium.
Industries Served
Sheared metal components are found in various industries. Examples include aircraft engines, discs, pipes, pumps, rings, and tubing.
Custom Metal Cutting Services from AAA Metals
Whether you need saw cutting, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, or shearing services for your project, AAA Metals has got your back! We can cut a broad selection of metals into various shapes, sizes, and quantities to exacting specifications. To learn more about our cutting capabilities and how to determine which one is right for you, contact us today. To discuss your cutting requirements with one of our experts, request a quote.
There are many metal cutting methods available. Two of the most commonly used are sawing and shearing. Each of these processes has its own advantages and disadvantages that make it suitable for different applications. Below, we provide an overview of both processes to help customers identify which one is right for their needs.
Sawing 101
Sawing utilizes a band saw cutting tool with small teeth around its circumference. As the blade moves across the surface of the metal, the teeth gradually remove pieces of material. The kerf of the cut—i.e., the width of the material removed—is slightly larger than the width of the saw blade.
Some of the reasons to choose sawing for metal cutting operations include:
Ideal for thicker materials. Band saws can maintain an accurate cut for thick materials like plates, bars, pipes, and tubes.
Broad material flexibility. The sawing process can accommodate thicker materials with a variety of cross-sections (e.g., tubes and I-beams).
Straight cuts. Band saws produce square edges, which makes the cutting process suitable for materials that require accurately straight cuts.
Small kerfs. Saw blades (particularly band saw blades using Cobalt material) typically leverage raker set teeth to produce smaller kerfs than the cutting instruments used in other cutting processes. As a result, less material is lost, which translates to greater material utilization and lower material waste generation.
Shearing 101
Shearing is a cutting method that utilizes two blades—a moving upper blade and a stationary lower blade—that are slightly offset from one another. During cutting operations, the stock material is clamped perpendicularly between the two blades. As the upper blade descends, it pushes the material down onto the lower blade. The load causes the material to deform and eventually split, forming the cut.
Some of the reasons to choose shearing for metal cutting operations include:
Ideal for thin sheets. The thicker the material, the more tonnage required to shear it, which can cause the material to stretch before it shears. This can cause tolerance issues as well as more cleanup.
Faster. Hydraulic shearing is more efficient and can cut materials more quickly.
Clean cuts with smooth edges. Cuts produced by shearing machines are generally clean and smooth, which decreases the amount of time and money needed for post-cutting finishing operations.
Little to no waste. The shearing process does not produce chips when cutting material, which reduces the amount of material lost and wasted.
Sawing vs. Shearing: Which Metal Cutting Method to Choose?
As indicated above, sawing and shearing offer many unique advantages. However, it is also important to keep in mind the disadvantages they hold. Together, this information can help you choose the right cutting method for your project. For example:
Sawing accommodates a variety of material thicknesses and shapes. However, it can be difficult to maintain contact between the cutting tool and the surface of flat material during cutting operations, which can lead to material instability and, consequently, cutting inconsistencies. As a result, the process is not ideal for cutting sheet metal and is instead best used with plates, bars, pipes, and tubes.
Shearing produces very straight cuts, but it cannot readily produce non-straight cuts. This quality makes it better suited for simpler, regular shapes rather than complex and intricate shapes. Additionally, the process requires a significant amount of force. This quality makes it possible to cut thinner sheet, bar, and rod materials (e.g., ½ inch in thickness or less) easily, but not thicker materials (since they may require more force than the machine can produce) or hollow materials (since they can deform).
Precision Sawing and Shearing Services at AAA Metals
Whether you need sawing or shearing services for your project, AAA Metals is here to help. We can saw and shear a broad selection of metals in various shapes, sizes, and quantities to tight tolerances. To learn more about sawing and shearing and how to determine which one is right for your cutting needs, contact us today.
Did you know we could Polish Hex? We can! If your application is Architectural then we are your call. Here is a Before and After of an 1-1/4″ Hex x 144″ Long.
We have just started Polishing 3 Plates 1″ Thick x 61″ x 120″ Grade 304/304L to a #4 Satin Finish. This has a 2 side requirement so flipping the plates over and Polishing the back side is a must. We ensure all surfaces are protected with rubber padding. Vacuum Lifting also provides ease of positioning. This is how the plates start.
Midway through the process of grinding off the Pickled finish.
Plate will go under further inspection prior to belt change.
