What is Stainless Steel? How is it made?
Below is an overview of how stainless steel is manufactured, from mines to manufacturers. But how does stainless steel move from a pile of scrap and refined minerals to its final form and application? Most stainless steels production begin in a similar manner before the process begins. This process determines the exact composition of the steel alloy, as well as its many properties. Therefore, to understand how stainless steel is manufactured, we must first dive into its composition. Step 1: Melt The production of stainless steel begins with melting scrap and additives in an electric arc furnace (EAF). EAF uses high power electrodes to heat the metal for hours to produce a fluent molten mixture. Step 2: Remove carbon content Carbon helps increase the hardness and strength of iron. However, too much carbon can cause problems such as carbide precipitation during welding. Calibration and reduction of carbon content to appropriate levels are essential before melting molten stainless s...