Common Machining Processes for Alloy 600 Steel
At Songshun, every stage of the process of Inconel 600 high temperature alloy steel from raw materials to finished products and then to processing requires strict control and professional technology to ensure that the final product provided has high performance and high quality. We also provide various complex and highly specialized processing technologies for alloy 600 steel, so that it can meet more application scenarios and customer needs. This article will discuss several mechanical processing technologies that Songshun customers often require when purchasing INCONEL 600.
Cutting Machining
1.Turning: This machining process is one of the most commonly used methods for alloy 600 steel, particularly well-suited for large-diameter INCONEL 600 round bars. The turning of Alloy 600 steel primarily involves continuous cutting of the rotating steel material using carbide tools to achieve the desired outer diameter and shape.
2.Milling: Unlike the turning process for alloy 600, milling involves using a milling cutter (typically multi-edged) that moves across the workpiece to remove material. This method is suitable for parts requiring complex shapes and multiple machined surfaces. It is recommended to use coated tools to enhance the wear resistance and heat resistance of INCONEL 600 steel. Due to the material’s high stickiness, which can lead to chip buildup, it is crucial to select the appropriate milling cutter groove type to ensure effective chip evacuation. Additionally, employing the climb milling technique can reduce tool wear.
3.Grinding: This is a machining method that primarily uses abrasive tools to remove excess material from steel. Given the high hardness and strength of alloy 600 steel, it is recommended to use diamond grinding tools for the process. It is important to use a lower wheel speed and appropriate grinding depth to prevent overheating and surface burn during grinding.
Regardless of the cutting method used for Inconel Alloy 600, it is essential to select the appropriate cutting speed, temperature, and cutting tools based on the steel specifications and customer requirements. Precisely controlling the cutting parameters is crucial to prevent further hardening and to effectively enhance the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of alloy 600 steel.
Cutting Processes
Laser Cutting: This process typically uses a high-energy-density laser beam directed at the surface of the Inconel 600 material to achieve cutting by melting or vaporizing the material at high temperatures. Laser cutting is characterized by its fast speed, high processing efficiency, and precise cuts, making it especially suitable for the precision cutting of thin-gauge alloy 600 materials.
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM): EDM primarily works by generating continuous electrical sparks between the material and the electrode, which melt away the material at high temperatures. EDM does not require direct contact with the workpiece, making it particularly well-suited for high-hardness alloy materials and complex shapes. Therefore, EDM is a better choice when dealing with thicker Inconel 600.
In addition to the above cutting methods, Songshun also offers oxy-fuel cutting, plasma cutting, waterjet cutting, and more for alloy 600 steel. The specific cutting method should be determined based on the application requirements, material thickness, and complexity.
Drilling Process
This machining process is designed to meet specific requirements in some applications of Inconel 600 material steel. It primarily involves creating holes in Alloy 600 steel using high-quality coated or carbide drills, typically performed on drilling machines, lathes, milling machines, or boring machines. It is important to strictly control the cutting speed and feed rate during drilling to prevent the drill bit from overheating. Additionally, using coolant is necessary to lower the cutting temperature, reduce wear, and improve machining accuracy. To enhance the surface quality of the hole, reaming can be employed for subsequent finishing, and any debris adhered to the reamer should be removed in a timely manner.
Welding Processes
TIG Welding (Tungsten Inert Gas Welding): Also known as tungsten inert gas welding, this is a commonly used method for welding alloy 600 steel. It involves creating an arc with a tungsten electrode and using an inert gas (usually argon) to protect the weld area. TIG welding is suitable for high-precision and high-quality welding.
MIG Welding (Metal Inert Gas Welding): This method uses a consumable electrode and inert gas shielding to perform the welding. MIG welding is ideal for welding thicker sections of INCONEL 600 steel and can offer a higher welding speed.
Welding is a crucial process for machining Alloy 600 steel. In addition to the above methods, other techniques such as arc welding, laser welding, and plasma arc welding (PAW) can also be used. It is important to thoroughly clean the surface of INCONEL 600 high-temperature steel before welding to remove grease, oxides, and contaminants. During welding, parameters such as speed, current, and voltage must be carefully controlled. Welding too quickly may result in weld defects, while welding too slowly can lead to overheating and deformation.
At Songshun, in addition to the aforementioned machining processes, we also support the customization of various machining requirements to meet customers’ demands for extremely high machining precision and surface quality of alloy 600 steel. Furthermore, Songshun meticulously controls each stage of the alloy 600 manufacturing process, ensuring superior subsequent processing and usage, and providing our customers with the highest quality high-temperature alloy steel.