F.A.Q.

F.A.Q.2024-01-31T11:26:53-05:00
What are the most common applications for Structural Steel Tubing?2023-10-12T13:52:48-04:00

Here are some of the most popular applications for Structural Steel Tubing: beams, pillars, bracing structures, parking lot barriers, staggered and conventional truss structures, exposed architectural structures, welded steel frames.

Is stainless steel magnetic?2023-11-07T13:08:22-05:00

Stainless steel is an iron alloy, which means that iron is combined with other materials to form a new metal. This means that different combinations can have different properties, and be used for different things. Stainless steel can be magnetic in some cases, when these materials are combined in different ways. One of the most common types of stainless steel is called “ferritic” stainless steel, and it is magnetic, while other common types of stainless steel are not.

Consult also the following resources on our site:  https://www.acierlachine.com/en/products/

Why are so many things made of stainless steel?2023-11-07T13:10:00-05:00

Stainless steel (also known as “inox steel”) is used in many modern applications because of its remarkable strength, temperature resistance, and ability to resist corrosion and rust. These qualities make stainless steel ideal for use in a wide variety of products, from kitchen knives to construction materials. The stainless steel industry has grown an average of 5% between 1980 and today, and production of stainless steel has increased by over 4000% since its introduction in the 1950s!

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What raw materials are used to make stainless steel?2023-11-07T13:11:17-05:00

Stainless steel is made up of some of the most common and basic elements found in the earth: iron ore, silicon, nickel, chromium, carbon, manganese, and nitrogen.

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What is stainless steel used for?2023-11-07T13:11:47-05:00

Stainless steel is an iron alloy that is used in a wide range of everyday applications because of its exceptional resistance to stain and rust. There are more than 57 types of stainless steels that are used in an extensive number of applications and industries, such as building exteriors and roofing, water supply piping, bulk materials handling equipment, sporting goods, infrastructure such as railways and bridges, and many more.

The food processing industry in North America is one of the largest users of stainless steel, utilizing about 200,000 tons per year on a variety of products, such as commercial stainless steel sinks, stainless steel kitchen shelves, and stainless steel work tables. Because of its durability, economy, sanitary design, easy cleaning, and good corrosion resistance, stainless steel is used in many food processing and cooking equipment applications.

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What is 18-8 stainless steel?2023-11-07T13:12:41-05:00

A: 18-8 is another way of referring to 304 stainless and similar alloys (301, 302, etc.). The 18-8 refers to the 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel content of 304 (see the table above), with no more than 0.08% Carbon.

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What does quarter-hard mean?2023-10-12T13:47:13-04:00

This refers to higher tensile strength grades. Solution-annealed 304SS typically has an ultimate tensile strength of 75 ksi (515 MPa), Brinnell hardness 201, and Rockwell B Hardness 92. Quarter-hard steel has tensile strength of 115 – 135 ksi. It is harder to form than solution-annealed 304SS. Solution-annealed steel has undergone thermal treatment beyond stress relieving to give the higher tensile strength and hardness.

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What is 330 stainless, and what is it recommended for?2023-10-12T13:48:20-04:00

330 stainless has 35% Nickel and 17% Chromium. This grade is used in very high-temperature applications, up to 1,900 degrees F (940 degrees C), such as for heat-treating baskets. The cost of 330SS is much less than that of Inconel 600 and higher than that of 316SS.

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What is 321 stainless, and what is it recommended for?2023-10-12T13:49:26-04:00

321 stainless has 9-12% Nickel, 17-19% Chromium, and some Titanium. This grade has superior resistance to intergranular corrosion and is recommended for high-temperature and welded applications (but type 347 with Niobium in place of Titanium is preferred for weld filler). 321SS might be suitable for hooks and wire forms in especially difficult environments. Its price is significantly higher than that of 304SS, however.

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What is 304H stainless, and what is it recommended for?2023-10-12T13:50:10-04:00

304H has higher Carbon content (0.04-0.10%) than 304 and is used for high-strength applications.

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What makes stainless steel “stainless”?2023-11-07T13:13:45-05:00

Compared to plain carbon steel, stainless steel alloys (there are more than 300 grades) contain at least 12% Chromium – a metal that is intrinsically corrosion resistant. Because of this alloying, stainless steels form a tightly-adherent and protective oxide layer which is so thin that the metallic coloration of the underlying steel is visible. The oxide layer that forms in ambient environments on plain carbon steels (i.e. “rust”) is a different oxide, which is nearly opaque, orange, thick, loose and porous.

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What do the designations 304L and 316L mean?2023-10-12T13:55:08-04:00

The “L” in the designations for these grades refers to “low carbon.” This low carbon makes it easier to produce corrosion-resistant welds than in standard 304 and 316, respectively, but their higher cost (2% to 10%) and lower strength (by 5 ksi) limit their use. Most fabricators of stainless steel wire products can work well enough with 304 and 316. The maximum Carbon content is 0.03% in an L grade, while the standard 304 and 316 grades can contain up to 0.08% carbon.

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What are the chemical compositions of grade 304 and 316 stainless steel?2023-10-12T13:57:10-04:00
GRADE Nickel Chromium Molybdenum Manganese
304 8 – 10.5% 18 – 20% None Specified 2% maximum
316 10 – 14% 16 – 18% 2 – 3% 2% maximum

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Why would 316 be worth the extra cost over 304?2023-10-12T14:02:58-04:00

For most applications, 304 has the best combination of corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and cost. For high corrosion resistance in food, biomedical, marine and heat exchanger applications, 316 can be worth the price difference. The resistance to solvents, chlorides, acetic acid and especially to salt water can make 316 the preferred choice.

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What are the common types of stainless steel?2023-10-12T14:04:06-04:00

A1: Most common are austenitic stainless steels, grades 304, 316 and 317. These have the highest corrosion resistance, are non-magnetic and can be hardened only by cold work (annealed 300-series stainless steels are not magnetic, but they may become magnetic after cold working).

A2: Next-most common are the ferritic stainless steels, grades 430 and 434. These are magnetic and can be hardened by cold work. The price is lower than that of 304SS due to the lower amount of Nickel.

A3: Least common are martensitic stainless steels, grades 410 and 420. These alloys have the highest hardness, are magnetic and can be hardened by a combination of cold work and heat treatment. The price is lower than that of 304SS due to the lower amount of Nickel.

Consult also the following resources on our site: https://www.acierlachine.com/en/products/

What is the main difference between 304 and 316 for the application engineer?2023-10-12T14:04:54-04:00

316 stainless is more expensive (about 20% more) due to the higher Nickel and Molybdenum content and has higher corrosion resistance, higher tensile strength, and a slightly grayer finish.

Consult also the following resources on our site:  https://www.acierlachine.com/en/products/

Do you accept cheques as a method of payment?2023-10-12T14:05:43-04:00

We accept cheques as method of payment but only after the first order fully paid and after the approval of your request opening an account with you. We encourage you to get familiar with the procedure of opening an account.

Can you unload beams from your truck into the house?2023-10-12T14:07:01-04:00

No. We do not have the required permissions and insurance. All the materials will be unloaded on the ground to the closest place of your desired location. Also, We can suggest a company that will be fully capable of executing this task.

Can you unload beams from your truck on the 2nd floor?2023-10-12T14:07:49-04:00

No. We do not have the required permissions and insurance.  All the materials will be unloaded on the ground to the closest place to your desired location. However, we can suggest a company that will be fully capable of executing this task.

What is the charge for delivery? (To where?)2023-10-12T14:08:37-04:00

We charge delivery fees to all orders below $500. Also, the fixed fees can be higher for the deliveries that are outside of a 50 km radius of Montreal.

What is the delay on FAB products?2023-10-12T14:09:21-04:00

The timelines can vary and depend on the complexity of the jobs. We estimate a three days production timeline on average. Should you require an exact timeline, please contact one of our representatives and he will accommodate your request.

Do you have price lists?2023-10-12T14:10:32-04:00

No. The metal prices can vary several times during a year, so we suggest that you contact one of our representatives by phone or email to ensure you get the best price.

Do you do on-site installations?2023-10-12T14:11:25-04:00

No, but we can redirect you to a collaborating company that will be able to perform the required work.

Do I have to pay in advance or can I pay on delivery?2023-10-12T14:12:09-04:00

The customer can pay on delivery if the material has not been cut or modified otherwise you will need to pay in advance. Only valid business checks are accepted.

What is the charge to cut material in your shop?2023-10-12T14:12:53-04:00

Generally cutting costs are calculated on the basis of an hourly rate of $ 60. Frequently there will be no charge for the cutting, if that process is quite fast. We invite you to contact one of our representatives to get a quote.

If I buy too much material can I return what I don’t use?2023-10-12T14:15:56-04:00

Yes,  if the returned equipment has standard full length and has not been altered. The equipment will be inspected prior to issuing the credit. Some restocking fees might apply.

What’s the difference between pipe and tube?2023-10-12T14:16:17-04:00

The way it’s measured and the applications it’s being used for. Pipes are passageways. Tubes are structural. A pipe is generally measured by inside diameter or ID.(IE: You could roll a 2″ golf ball through a 2″ NOM pipe.) Tube, on the other hand, is measured by outside diameter or OD. (So your golf ball would have the same OD as the 2″ tube.)

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