Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Handling Stainless Steel

There’s no denying that stainless steel is a very attractive metal used for different types of projects. But since its surface is so polished, scratches and other damage are more likely to show up than in other metals. Considering stainless steel sheet is so susceptible to damage, it’s easy to make a mistake when handling the material.

It is for this reason that you should take it upon yourself to learn from these mistakes to avoid repeating them in the future.  In this blog post, we look into some of the common mistakes to avoid when handling stainless steel sheet.

Distortion

You probably already know that stainless steel sheet has low thermal conductivity and a high expansion rate, making it very easily distorted during welding processes. To avoid distortion, you should make it the norm to use the lowest amperage possible without compromising on the quality of the weld.

It doesn’t end at that since you need to control interpass temperatures to minimize distortion and use controlled tack welding, clamping jigs, or a copper backing plate to hold the work piece in place.

Improper Cleaning

There are very specific cleaning processes needed to care for stainless steel sheet since scratches show up so easily. Abrasive cleaners that can scratch stainless steel should never be used, and you should avoid scrubbing stainless steel too hard. Failing to properly rinse stainless steel sheet after cleaning can lead to unsightly water spots.

Using cleaners with bleach or chlorine also has the potential to damage stainless steel sheet. In order to clean stainless steel, you should use warm water and a soft cloth. Gently clean the stainless-steel sheet and rinse it thoroughly. After rinsing, dry the material using a soft towel to prevent water spots.

Introducing Surface Contaminants

There are many different surface contaminants that can be introduced while handling stainless steel sheet. Iron fillings and other environmental contaminants can get onto the surface while the metal is sitting in the fabrication shop. While handling stainless steel sheet, grease, chalk, or other materials might be on the handle’s hands. These contaminants can lead to localized corrosion.

To prevent surface contaminants, be sure to use an abrasive designed specifically for stainless steel grinding, blending, and debarring. Keep stainless steel sheet abrasives separate from abrasives for other metals and never use an abrasive on stainless steel that has been used on another metal.