Advances in the efficiency of steelmaking in the 17th century mark some of the most important points on the timeline of metallurgy; the discovery of stainless steel also ranks very high in importance in terms of its implications for industry and commerce. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Maysteel Industries, LLC
Allenton, WI | 262-251-1632Maysteel provides complex sheet metal fabrication with a focus on design for manufacturing. Founded in 1936, we combine our extensive engineering experience and market knowledge with an expanding supply chain footprint, allowing us to fabricate products that others can’t. We design, engineer and manufacture custom OEM sheet metal enclosures, kiosks, cabinets and racks. We have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as partnerships in Europe. For more information, visit www.maysteel.com.
Ambox Limited
Houston, TX | 713-644-1931Since 1953, Ambox has been a company you can count on. We offer many metal fabrication services such as shearing, press brake forming, punching, welding, assembly, and finishing services. We specialize in taking complex products from prototyping through full-scale production. With our advanced equipment and techniques, combined with over 50 years of experience in a broad range of industries, Ambox is a leading provider of laser cutting, metal stamping & machining services. ISO9001 Certified.
M & W Shops
Union Grove, WI | 262-878-4220At M & W Shops, our mission is to continually improve through the utilization of best practices, workforce empowerment and the latest technology in order to be your top source for metal fabrication. Since 1972, our team has proven ourselves over and over again with projects varying from CNC shearing to punching and burning. Call us today to apply our advantage to all your custom metal fabricating needs.
Staley Steel Inc.
Pilot Point, TX | 940-686-6000Over 60 years of experience as a full service custom steel fabricator serving customer needs across the continental United States. STALEY STEEL has developed an affinity for handling complex projects on time and within budget. STALEY STEEL takes pride in developing long term relationships with our customers and enjoys an ongoing 85% repeat business. Contact us today for more information!
Milwaukee Metal Products, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI | 414-463-2090For over 100 years, Milwaukee Metal Products has been a family owned metal shop on Milwaukee’s northwest side. We are a reliable supplier of quality metal products to leading manufacturers in many industries and we strive to always provide the absolute best value for our customers. Now in it’s 4th generation of family ownership, Milwaukee Metal Products is led by CEO Betty Jane Parrott and is a certified Women Owned Business Enterprise (WOBE).
Stainless steel is defined as any steel with a minimum chromium content of 10.5%. Also known as corrosion-resistant steel, the defining feature of stainless steel is its resistance to oxidation, which is also known as rusting. This distinct advantage over low-chromium steel and cast iron, which rusts easily when exposed to the atmosphere, has made stainless steel an invaluable asset to metallurgists, metal fabricators and even sculptors.
For example, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is plated with stainless steel. It can be milled into coils and wire, bars, plates, tubes and sheets and can be used in applications ranging from household cookware fabrication to handgun manufacturing. Stainless steel is also recyclable; it can be recycled without degradation of strength, durability or corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel's versatility and other attractive properties make it a popular fabrication material for an expansive range of industries. For this reason, many fabrication processes have been developed to accommodate the fabrication of steel products. Stainless steel fabrication typically falls into two categories.
The first category is heavy fabrication, which can include the manufacturing of steel parts for large projects like ships and bridges. Light fabrication includes the production of parts for smaller operations like automotive manufacturing and for use in utilities like water tanks. Stainless steel fabrication operations include stamping, cutting, bending, laser cutting, and welding.
In some cases, steel can be extruded and even molded, but such processes are rare as steel is a very strong material and requires extreme heat to become pliable enough to be forced through a die or into a mold cavity. More commonly, shaped steel products are roll formed, often into channels or angles for use in construction contexts. Stainless steel can also be formed into enclosures, frames, brackets, panels, grills, cabinets and many more shapes.