Common Mistakes to Avoid When Working with Stainless Steel

Every day, architects and builders look for innovative materials and metals for their construction projects that give them longevity. Of all the materials, stainless steel remains a first choice for most people as it is highly resistant to corrosion, is highly durable, and has a good appearance that gives it good aesthetics.

However, despite innovation in steel manufacturing, even some of the most seasoned and experienced people end up making very basic and common mistakes when using stainless steel in their projects. In this blog, Khambati Metal Industries, one of the oldest steel trading companies in Dubai, will take you through a detailed guide to common mistakes that you can avoid when working with stainless steel. So read this entire blog until the end to learn how to avoid the commonly occurring mistakes when using stainless steel in your projects.

Not Paying Attention to Safety

Unlike steel, stainless steel does not corrode easily, and as a result, when working with it, people tend to relax. This type of relaxation can be very fatal and harmful on construction sites, causing a lot of harm to the workers and other people present on the site.

To get the most out of your metal products, paying constant attention to the safety of people and machines on site is very necessary. Major steel companies in the UAE, such as Khambati Metal Industries, suggest to their customers and buyers that they use and adapt all the safety measures and adhere to them as much as possible when working with stainless steel. When you ensure safety and take precautions, you not only safeguard the human life present on the site but also increase the life of machinery and metal products, thereby drastically reducing working costs and making huge monetary and time savings. So the next time someone says wearing a safety vest isn’t necessary when they are working with stainless steel, suggest they use it because no matter what metal is used, it can cause fatalities.

Welding At High Amperage

Stainless steel is one of those metals that has a very low thermal conductivity, which is why many metal companies in the UAE recommend using low amperage when performing operations such as welding on stainless steel. Even when stainless steel is used in applications you didn’t know about, welding operations are performed carefully so that no damage is done to the surface of it. Since stainless steel has low thermal conductivity, it expands at a faster rate, which leads to distortion on its surface.

That is why whenever you conduct welding on stainless steel surfaces, to avoid distortions, weld at the lowest amperage. This way, the quality of the weld will not be harmed and the overall strength will be retained.

Not Cleaning Surface

This is something that most reputed steel manufacturing companies in Dubai, such as Khambati Metal Industries, highly recommend to all their clients, and that is to keep the surface of stainless steel products, equipment, and parts always clean. Many people assume that since stainless steel doesn’t rust or corrode, it can keep it dirty and unclean. But this isn’t true when stainless steel surfaces are kept exposed to the elements and moisture; they can rust as well. The only difference will be that stainless steel will take much longer to corrode as compared to other metals.

Apart from corrosion, another reason why you should frequently clean your stainless steel surfaces is all types of dirt, dust, iron shavings, and debris can get collected on the surface. Which may make the surface slippery and prone to slippage and may also cause many other types of problems. That is why you should always remember to clean your stainless steel surfaces thoroughly before you start using them for any application.

Using Harsh Chemicals to Clean Surfaces

Many people assume that since metal has an industrial application, its surfaces can be cleaned with any chemical or solvent. But that is the biggest myth that many metal trading companies in the UAE have been trying to bust for years.

Every metal has its unique properties. Even though it may be used for heavy-duty industrial applications such as cranes, machines, or other equipment, it can still be highly sensitive to chemicals that may not be suitable for cleaning it. Some of the most common chemicals that can damage metal surfaces are acid based. Acid-based chemicals are used for very specific applications, and they shouldn’t be randomly used for cleaning any stainless steel surface.

Letting Surface Contaminants Enter the Work Site

Most stainless steel suppliers in the UAE suggest that while handling stainless steel, a variety of surface impurities might be introduced. While the metal is in the fabrication shop, iron fillings and other environmental pollutants may come into contact with the surface. Grease, chalk, or other contaminants may be on the handler's hands while handling stainless steel. Localized corrosion may result from these pollutants. That is why stainless steel surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and proper safety measures should always be taken.

You can use abrasives for cleaning stainless steel, but always remember to use an abrasive made especially for stainless steel grinding, blending, and deburring to prevent surface contamination. Never use an abrasive on stainless steel that has previously been used on another metal, and keep stainless steel abrasives separate from abrasives for other metals. Store stainless steel separately from all other metals and keep it as long as possible packaged and protected.

Concluding Lines

Most commonly, people assume that stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and can be treated in whichever way they want it to be. However, this is the biggest mistake people make when handling stainless steel. Stainless steel, like any other metal, can get damaged and cause many problems in its operations if it is not taken care of properly. Follow the above-described guidelines to avoid damage to your stainless steel metal products and applications.

For more information on how to choose the right metal for your project, contact Team Khambati.