Industrial machines are designed for prolonged and heavy-duty usage in manufacturing and processing applications. However, the equipment in your operation can fail eventually or unexpectedly and often you will require steel replacement parts to restore functionality. You can choose standard repair components from the equipment market. These are generally cheap to purchase and readily available in local and online stores. On the other hand, you can choose custom fabrication which allows you to control the quality and durability of the replacement parts. If you select this option, consider these outlined steel materials for your industrial machinery components.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is the standard steel material formed by combining iron with carbon. This is an ideal choice for industrial machinery fabrication because the material is strong and durable. Moreover, the cost is still manageable for most repair projects because there are no special alloying elements required. Generally, you can choose between low and high carbon steel, depending on your requirements. Low carbon or mild steel has lower strength but its ductility is perfect for easy fabrication. High carbon steel has higher strength, but the material is less malleable and more expensive. You should remember that carbon steel can rust and corrode, so ensure that you have accounted for galvanisation of the industrial components.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is more expensive than the standard carbon steel, but the performance is more enhanced. Therefore, if you want a highly durable machinery component that can withstand high stress, this is an ideal choice. Stainless steel is not prone to the weaknesses of normal steel like rust, tarnishing and corrosion. The chromium alloying element causes the metal to stabilise, preventing adverse reactions. If your industrial machinery will be exposed to humid, saline or chemical conditions, this is an appropriate choice. You can choose your preferred component appearance from an assortment of finishes, including reflective, matte, brushed, satin and bead-blast finishes.

Tool Steel

If your machinery part is intended for applications that will exert physical stress, you should consider choosing tool steel. As suggested by the term, this type of steel is designed for fabricating tooling for equipment parts. In simple terms, tool steel can withstand extensive abrasion and deformation due to its extreme hardness. Moreover, the material will not rust because it has chromium like stainless steel. You should note that there are different classifications of tool steel in the modern fabrication market. These include shock-resisting, hot-work and even high-speed tooling steel. Therefore, ask sheet metal fabricators about the availability of material that is compatible with your working conditions. 

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