Prefabricated steel components have played a huge role in lowering the difficulty and expense of building large structures. But even within the construction industry, there are many people who don't possess much understanding of the steel fabrication process. If you work with steel or construction in some capacity and would like to learn more, read on. Here you will find an explanation of the two initial stages of steel fabrication.
Stage One: Cleaning the Surface
Freshly milled steel is subject to certain natural imperfections. These include burrs, mill scale, and even light rust. Not only can such imperfections have a negative impact where appearance is concerned, but in certain cases, they may also affect the way the steel responds during subsequent phases of processing. For these reasons, a thorough surface cleaning is the first priority.
So-called blast cleaning is by far the most prevalent method of preparing new steel. In this method, akin to sand blasting, a highly pressurized stream of particles is discharged against the steel. This effectively removes unwanted imperfections. It also prepares the steel for later treatments, roughening the surface in a way that will improve the bonding of paint and other substances.
Stage Two: Cutting to Size
With the surface properly prepared, now it's time to cut the milled steel to the particular length needed. This, of course, varies depending on the particular application for which the steel is being manufactured. Yet regardless of its ultimate purpose, the cutting techniques used to shape the steel remain the same. There are three principle methods used.
Flame cutting involves the use of an incredibly high-powered flame torch. In order to cut through solid metal, its temperature must exceed the material's melting point. In the case of steel, that means the flame's temperature must be greater than 2500 degrees Fahrenheit. Such temperatures are achieved through the combustion of a mixture of propane and oxygen.
Arc plasma cutting differs from flame cutting in that the energy required to effect the cut is generated not through the combustion of gases, but by an electrical generator. Gas, however--either oxygen or compressed air--still has an important role of play. When ionized, it serves as the "arc," which allows current to be transmitted from the electrical source to the metal.
Finally, there is the cutting technique known as cold sawing. Unlike the previous two methods, cold sawing is a mechanical process. In other words, the metal is cut by means of a physical saw. Of course, this saw is not operated by a human, but rather by computer that has been programmed using CAD/CAM software.
For more information, contact Garelick Steel or a similar company.
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