Stainless Steel Rods
Stainless steel is formed into stock rods, plates, sheets,
bar, wire and coil during the initial ore manufacturing process, to be fabricated later
by machining, roll forming, etching, lathe cutting and many other fabrication
methods. Rods are solid cylinders, and they are fabricated into automotive
parts, medical tools and many other parts and components by many industries,
from parts manufacturers to marine and aerospace manufacturers. Stainless steel's
uniform resistance to corrosion and its structural strength make it one of
the most useful metals in construction, equipment and parts manufacturing,
and many materials which are made from stainless steel are fabricated from
stainless steel rods.
Stainless steel is an alloy of regular steel (iron ore which has been highly
refined) and at least 10% chromium, along with much smaller amounts of carbon,
nickel, molybdenum, silicone and aluminum in various combinations. The alloyed
chromium forms a "passivation" layer of chromium oxide on the surface
of the stainless steel rod or part, effectively preventing the iron molecules
in the steel from reacting with oxygen in the air or water and creating iron
oxide, or rust. This protective layer easily reforms when scratched, making
parts fabricated from stainless steel plates impervious to air or water corrosion.
Industrial, marine, automotive, aerospace, medical, petro-chemical and tool
manufacturing industries fabricate stainless rods into various parts and products
which require a sanitary, non-corrosive or low weight-to-mass ratio metal.
Stainless steel fabricators often use CNC lathes to machine stainless steel
rods into precision tools and parts. Stainless steel plays an important role
in many automotive parts which require strength and corrosion resistance under
harsh conditions, such as wheel hubs, exhaust kits, gas tanks, gear shafts
and trim. Even furniture is made from stainless steel plates and rods, making stainless steel one of the most versatile and most necessary
metal alloys.