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From the Blog
Uses of Stainless Steel
Continental Steel is a leading global supplier of quality metals, including stainless steel, which we offer in numerous grades and forms. Stainless steel offers uniquely beneficial characteristics compared to regular steel and is a vital material in many industries. This blog post will discuss stainless steel's unique attributes, its applications and benefits, and the various grades we offer. Stainless Steel From Continental Steel Continental Steel supplies a comprehensive assortment of stainless steel grades, forms, finishes, and gauges, as well as width and length variations. Stainless steel is an alloy comprised of nickel, niobium, molybdenum, and a minimum of 10.5% chromium. In comparison to regular steel, it does not easily rust, corrode, or stain. Since stainless steel is used throughout such a wide variety of industries and applications, there are numerous forms to choose from. Stainless steel is classified into five categories based on composition and manufacturing processes. These types are austenitic, ferritic, duplex, martensitic, and precipitation hardened. They are available in different series that each display unique attributes. The 300 series of stainless steel grades are comprised of austenitic chromium-nickel alloys. The most commonly used type within this series is type 304. Type 316 is another commonly used type, typically found in medical or food-related applications. It is also referred to as "marine grade.” In addition to these popular grades, Continental Steel offers a wide selection of stainless steel grades, which include: Low Carbon Grades 304L 316L 317L High Carbon Grades 304H 316H Additional Grades 302 303 309 310 330 17-4 17-7 15-5 13-8 321 347 904 254SMO As well as PH Precipitation Hardened Condition. The 400 series of stainless steel is comprised of ferritic and martensitic chromium alloys. Within this series, type 409 is the most cost-effective and is commonly used in automobile exhausts. Other notable types include 416, which is easily machinable, and 420, surgical steel or cutlery grade, which features excellent polishability. Other 400 series grades we supply include: 410 430 440 Custom 455 Custom 465 Continental Steel works extensively with super duplex stainless steel grades, including 2205 duplex, Super Duplex 2507, 2304 duplex, LDX 2101 (UNS S32101), and 2501. These grades of stainless steel are used in many marine applications due to their high tensile strength and resistance to corrosion. Applications include seawater systems, pressure vessels, storage tanks, desalination plants, umbilicals / coiled tube, and flue-gas cleaning. The numerous types and grades of stainless steel come in different forms, such as: Polished or grit material Large diameter round bar Small Diameter Square Flat Hexagon Perforated sheets Seamless and welded pipe and tube Plates, sheets, and coils Pump shaft quality (PSQ) Boat Shaft Quality (BSQ) Sturcturals (channels, angles, beams) Stainless Steel Applications & Uses With such a wide variety of forms available and numerous beneficial qualities, stainless steel is used throughout numerous industries, such as: Aerospace: Used in fuel lines as well as exhaust and structural components. Architecture and construction: Bridges, sculptures, airport roofs, and other structures all require stainless steel's strength and weight efficiency. Food industry: Used to produce knife blades, grills, sinks, saucepans, dishwashers, tables, easy-to-sanitize surfaces, breweries, sanitary tubes, and other kitchen appliances Marine: Used in shipbuilding to construct cargo tanks due to its mechanical efficiency, and also in seawater reverse osmosis units. Medical: Martensitic stainless steels are used to produce surgical instruments such as knives, clamps, needle holders, forceps, pacemakers, cannulated tubes, and more. Both highly specialized, technical applications and commercial applications alike rely on various forms of stainless steel to develop reliable, cost-effective, and attractive components. Benefits of Using Stainless Steel Stainless steel offers numerous beneficial qualities, including: Corrosion resistance: All grades of stainless steel feature high resistance to corrosion High and low-temperature resistance: Stainless steel is highly resilient to oxidation, which enables it to retain its strength in temperature extremes. Strength: Highly durable with excellent impact resistance, stainless steel retains its shape well and has a low susceptibility to brittleness. Ease of fabrication: At its melting point, stainless steel is easily fabricated, cut, or welded. Aesthetic appeal: Stainless steel is an elegant and modern-looking material that is a popular choice for home appliances and decor. Hygienic properties: Extremely easy to clean and sanitize, stainless steel features a non-porous surface that's inhospitable to bacteria. Life cycle characteristics: Stainless steel is 100% recyclable as well as highly durable and low maintenance. This results in significant life cycle cost savings compared to alternative materials. Easily sterilized: It is ideal for hygienic environments since it is easily sterilized and resistant to corrosion Magnetic and non-magnetic grades: The availability of both magnetic and non-magnetic grades makes stainless steel suitable for a wide range of applications. Magnetic metals are unsuitable for many applications. By selecting a non-magnetic stainless steel for these applications, you get the benefits of a stainless steel without the challenges of a ferritic metal. In many applications, the durability and high-performance capabilities of stainless steel make it a cost-saving choice throughout the life cycle of a project. Continental Steel: Your Stainless Steel Partner With so many types of stainless steel being used in diverse applications, it's important to partner with an expert who understands your needs. Since 1985, Continental Steel has offered a comprehensive selection of stainless steel grades and forms and are backed by decades of experience. To learn more about how our capabilities can help with your next project, contact us today.
Understanding Copper Grades
Copper is one of the oldest, most versatile metals in the world. There are different grades of copper, which are categorized based on their composition. Since 1985, Continental Steel & Tube Company has been one of the world’s top suppliers of high-quality metals, including various copper tubing grades. Here you’ll learn about the different copper grades available and their typical applications. Copper Grades From Continental Steel Copper grades are categorized depending on their composition of copper and various alloying elements, such as zinc, lead, nickel, and beryllium. The different grades also denote the manufacturing process used to produce it. Continental Steel offers the following copper grades: C101. Oxygen-Free Electronic (OFE) Copper, C10100 C102. Oxygen-Free Copper, C10200 C120. Deoxidized Low Phosphorus (DLP) Copper, C12000 C122. Deoxidized High Phosphorus (DHP) Copper, C12200 C151. Zirconium Copper, C15100 C182. Chromium Copper C194. High-Strength Modified (HSM) Copper, C19400 C220. Commercial Bronze (90/10), C22000 C230. Red Brass (85/15), C23000 C270. Yellow Brass (65/35), C27000 C314. Leaded Commercial Bronze C330. Low-Leaded Brass, C33000 C332. High-Leaded Brass, C33200 C360 Free Machining Brass C435. Trumpet Brass (80/20), C43500 C443. Admiralty Brass (Arsenical), C44300 C464. Naval Brass C510. Phosphor Bronze (5), C51000 C521. Phosphor Bronze (8), C52100 C693. Lead-free Brass C706. Copper Nickel (90/10), C70600 C710. Copper Nickel (80/20), C71000 C715. Copper Nickel (70/30), C71500 C740. Nickel Silver (10), C74000 C752. Nickel Silver (18), C75200 C836. Leaded Red Brass C857. Leaded Yellow Brass C863. Manganese Bronze C693. Lead-free Brass C89835. Bismuth Tin Bronze C903. Tin Bronze C954. Aluminum Bronze C955. Nickel-Aluminum Bronze C959. Aluminum Bronze More grades are available upon request Copper Grade Applications Able to be cold or hot worked, copper is a versatile metal across a wide range of industries and applications: Automotive: Copper tubing is an essential component of many of today’s automotive components, specifically copper-nickel brake tubing, heat exchangers, and radiators. Electrical: Because of its excellent conductivity, copper is an ideal material for a wide range of electrical applications, enhancing energy efficiency and power quality. Copper is commonly used in wires, windings, cables, transformers, electric motors, printed circuit boards, electromagnets, heat sinks, and busbars. Fuel Gas: Copper tubes are excellent materials for natural gas piping systems. Marine: Copper’s corrosion resistance, biofouling resistance, and strength make it perfect for a wide range of marine applications. Machining: Copper alloy rods and bars are ideal for machined products. Telecommunications: Modern telecommunications systems rely on copper wiring as a low-cost, high-performance solution. Industrial heat exchangers – Provides thermal conductivity, strength and corrosion protection Musical Instruments: Horns, trumpets, trombones and saxophones Common Uses for Copper Copper alloys have a long history of use because copper is easy to machine and turn into various forms. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, resistant to corrosion, and naturally antimicrobial. These properties make the metal ideal for: Electrical wiring: Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity and is often used in electrical wiring. Roofing: Copper is a popular roofing material due to its durability and weather resistance. Pipes and plumbing: Copper is commonly used for pipes and plumbing due to its corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties. Cookware: Copper cookware is popular because the material effectively conducts heat. Decorative items: Because of its aesthetic appeal, copper is often used for decorative items such as sculptures and jewelry. Electrical components: Copper is often used in electrical components such as resistors, capacitors, and heat exchangers. Continental Steel: Your Copper Grade Partner Copper is essential in many industries, and various copper grades offer application-specific properties. At Continental Steel, we have a long history of providing high-quality copper products for electrical, welding, heat transfer, and other applications. As a globally leading supplier of copper tubing in various grades, sizes, and shapes, we are standing by to help you find the right solution for your project. We are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9120B:2016 certified to provide the highest quality products to the aerospace and other critical markets. Contact us today to ask about or order our copper tubing products.
Powdered Metals Used for Forging
Powdered metal is a fine powder made from metal granules. The metal substrate is atomized and refined to create a consistent, highly specialized powder. Manufacturers use this material to compress and sinter thin layers of metal into a final shape. Powdered metal manufacturing is a popular, cost-effective alternative to traditional manufacturing methods, especially for parts with complex geometries. Learn more about how powdered metals are used for forging and what metals work best. Where Are Powdered Metals Used? Virtually every industry uses parts made from powdered metals. Industries often use powdered metals to produce prototypes for testing and design revisions using additive manufacturing. Powdered metals can also be used for fully functional parts used in harsh environments and critical applications depending on the metal's heat treatments and finishes. Some of the most common applications for powdered metals include: Aerospace equipment parts Automotive parts Biomedical devices Brake linings Electrical contacts Light bulb filaments Marine components Spacecraft heat shields Using Powdered Metals for Forging In forging, powdered metals are pressed and sintered to create a pre-form. Then the part is heated and hot forged, which results in a full-density part that exhibits enhanced mechanical and metallurgical properties. Forging is an ideal manufacturing process not only because it enhances certain features of the part, but because it offers a cost-effective and time-saving method for creating various products. Parts made with forging exhibit high ductility and improved resistance to load fatigue and impact. The process is also compatible with a wide range of materials to suit the needs of various applications. Best Materials for Forging Forging can be used with numerous powdered metals, each of which offers its owns unique characteristics. Some of the most popularly used powdered metals for forging include: Carbon Steel Carbon steel forgings can include chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, and many other elements in addition to carbon. The amount of carbon determines the hardness. Forging carbon steel is cost-effective and is most suitable for applications that don’t require high strength or high operating temperatures. Alloy Steel Alloy steel can include traces of many different metal elements. Each unique alloy has different degrees of wear resistance, hardness, durability, and corrosion resistance. Microalloy Steel Microalloy steel contains small amounts of alloying components to increase certain desirable properties while reducing production costs. Stainless Steel Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant due to having a composition of at least 10.5% chromium. Stainless steel is also durable, easy to work with, recyclable, long-lasting, and resistant to extreme temperatures. These qualities make stainless steel appealing for a diverse range of applications. Aluminum Aluminum is lightweight with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Forged aluminum components exhibit fracture toughness, resistance to stress corrosion cracking, and tolerance to low temperatures. Titanium Titanium is a strong, sturdy metal that can resist physical damage, heat damage, and corrosion. However, titanium requires fine-tuned handling and temperature control during the forging process. Your Source for Powdered Metals for Forging At Continental Steel & Tube Company, we supply our clients with specialty metals and powdered metals for use across a diverse array of industries. Our company is ISO 9001:2015 and certified, and we have over 20 years of experience quickly fulfilling orders with high-quality metals, including: Ferro Alloys and Manganese Metals. Ferro Boron, Ferro Molybdenum, Ferro Chrome (HC, LC) Molybdenum Oxide, Ferro Niobium, Ferro Manganese (LC), Ferro Silicon, Ferro Tungsten, Ferro Titanium, Silico Manganese, Ferro Vanadium, Electrolytic Manganese Metal Minor Metals. Rhenium, Titanium, Tungsten, Chromium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Zirconium, Niobium, Hafnium, Cerium, Yttrium, Lanthanum Master alloys. Nickel boron, nickel magnesium, and many others We have distribution centers in major manufacturing areas across the United States. Contact us today to learn more about our inventory of titanium, steels, alloys, and more. You can also request a quote to start your order.
