TPi July 2008

Tube making Raw mater ials for

Stainless steel with improved machinability

Some of the variables that affect the evaluation of machinability are: type of cutting fluid used during the process; type of machining operation being carried out; rigidity of tooling or fixtures; and tool material and geometry. Asmax Stainless products include smooth turned/ground and polished round bars; cold drawn and polished round bars; and hot rolled round and square bars.

These grades are identical to standard ASTM or DIN grades, except with respect to machinability. The key to improved machinability lies in the special melting process adopted by Ambica with optimised non- metallic inclusions, optimal chemical composition and an optimised process and production parameters. This special melting process results in a material providing claimed benefits that include increased productivity – Asmax Stainless machines smoother and with less waste, and can cope with an increased machining rate. The material also provides better tool life, requiring tools to be changed less frequently, as the tools will experience less wear and tear, and will stay sharp for longer. Since aggressive machining produces the most favourable results, increased productivity results automatically. Machinability also depends on many variables in the machining process. Because of this, the different criteria of machinability must be viewed with caution.

Ambica Steels, India, is a modern stainless steel mill employing a range of sophisticated steel making technologies. It produces around 80,000 tons per year in most austenitic, ferritic, martensitic and duplex grades of stainless steel, in a broad range of high-quality finished and semi-finished products. The company claims to be the second largest stainless steel producer in India, and rather than continuing to increase in size is now aiming to become a more specialised stainless steel producer, with a greater focus on Super-duplex and similar alloys. Ambica Steels produces bright round bars from 4 to 120mm ( 3 / 16 " to 4 1 / 2 "); flat bars from 30 to 150mm, up to 25mm thick; and square and hexagon bars from 10 to 50mm ( 3 / 8 " to 2"). Other products include angles, pump/ piston shaft quality bars, hot rolled black bars and billets, continuous cast billets and forging quality ingots. Asmax ® Stainless Type 303, 304, 304L, 316 and 316L are improved machining grades produced by Ambica Steels.

Ambica Steels Limited – India info@ambicasteels.com www.ambicasteels.com

Ferrous and non- ferrous materials from India Satellite Metals & Tubes Ltd, India, is a manufacturer, stockist and supplier of ferrous and non-ferrous materials including stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, sheets and plates, and raw materials in all grades and sizes. The company also manufactures tubes, pipes (seamless and welded) and pipe fittings such as elbows, tees, reducers, flanges, bends, stud bolts and all types of valve. The company’s range of supply also includes brass, copper aluminium, zinc, lead, monel, nickel, inconel and hastelloy. Materials can be offered for third party inspection before dispatch, if required. The company supplies materials to government and semi government companies, public sector under- takings, and industries including chemical, engineering, textile, paper, petrochemicals, fertilizer and pharmaceuticals. Satellite Metals & Tubes Ltd – India satellitemetals@vsnl.net www.satellitemetals.com Satellite Metals & Tubes imports and keeps stock in bulk quantities.

Getting the most out of stainless steel scrap Variety Steel, India, is an importer, stockist and supplier of stainless steel pipe and tube in austenitic grades. The company is looking to provide European, American, Japanese and Korean stainless steel pipe and tube manufacturers with a premium solution for their scrap left from the manufacturing and inspection process. According to Variety Steel, from buying the raw material to selling the finished product, manufacturers have approximately 2% of scrap in pipe form – around 20 tons/month if production is 1,000 tons/month. Common reasons for scrap include pipe-ends left from continuous production from coils (welded); short-length; rejection in final dimensional check; rejection in visual inspection; surface scratches; non-conformity with standards; surplus production; and cancellation of orders. Variety Steel buys such scrap at a premium, and will accept anything in stainless steel pipe and tube in austenitic grades, unless it is in pipe form, and at near to scrap prices.

Variety Steel – India info@varietysteel.co.in • www.varietysteel.co.in

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Tube Products International July 2008

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