Operating a Processing and Manufacturing Facility

Which Forming Techniques Do Fabricators Use for Stainless Steel

5 October 2020 by Todd West

In Australia, the fabricated metal sector is estimated to be worth something in the region of $4.1 billion which makes it a sizeable industry by any measure. Among the many metals that are used by modern fabricators, such as iron and aluminium to name but two popular choices, stainless steel is one of the most common. Because it can be obtained in various grades, stainless steel fabrication makes a lot of sense for site-specific circumstances. For example, steel fabrication projects using marine grades of stainless steel might be appropriate for installations that are destined for coastal towns or exposed locations.

Despite this inherent adaptability, modern stainless steel fabrication firms will often make use of some of the most tried and tested forming methods around. What are the most common ones that Australian fabricators are likely to use today?

Deep Draw Hydroforming

This is a forming method used by both fabricators and manufacturers nowadays. Essentially, this type of stainless steel fabrication method uses hydraulic pressure to shape stainless steel sections in a single process. It is particularly well suited to short runs of parts which have odd shapes, making it ideal for large numbers of fabrication projects. In addition, costly dies are not needed and there are virtually no burrs left on the workpiece after it has been formed that need to be removed.

Block Forming

This stainless steel fabrication process has been around for decades and it is still widely used. When block forming, a wooden or thermoplastic block will be pushed into a thin section of stainless steel to shape it under pressure. Sometimes small cuts are made into the metal before the forming technique is used since this will help to prevent wrinkles or deformations occurring when the block is forced in.

Deep Draw Stamping

Also popular among manufacturers, this stainless steel forming technique has a greater setup cost that either hydroforming or block forming. A metal die is pushed into the steel in much the same way that takes place in a block forming process but because the die is hardened, thicker sections of steel can be shaped by the process. This fabrication method is ideal when orders require dozens of similarly shaped components to be made for the project. It is also often favoured when marine grades of stainless steel have been selected for the fabrication project because it can cope with the forces necessary to shape this tough metal.

For more information, reach out to a professional who provides stainless steel fabrication services. 

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