Sustainable stainless steel sees consumption growth

​​​With a greater focus on sustainability and environmental welfare, engineering companies around the world are turning to stainless steel as a viable option for their components.

Zero Waste International Association (zwia.org) works to promote responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of products, packaging and materials. This includes methods which do not generate additional gases or toxins into land, water or air, which threaten the environment or human health.

ZWIA and the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) have outlined that choosing stainless steels for applications, ensures it will be produced in a responsible way. This includes an extremely low life-cycle inventory, close to zero maintenance costs during its long life, and can be reused indefinitely without any loss of quality or integrity.

Stainless steels’ anti-corrosive qualities enable it to be used in a variety of environments and components, from general engineering to aerospace, medical to oil and gas, marine industries to consumers.

These versatile and sustainable qualities are some of the key reasons why the development of stainless steel continues to rise. According to the ISSF, production increased by 24.7% to 14.5 million tons in the first quarter of 2021.

This growth has coincided with advancements and new developments within the cutting tool industry. Due to the difficult process of machining stainless steel, manufacturers have invested a huge amount of time and resources in finding new ways to try to combat the numerous application challenges.

Leading manufacturer Dormer Pramet has developed a comprehensive assortment of indexable and rotary cutting tools in recent years to support machining of stainless steel. The global company continually develops new solutions to help customers improve productivity and reduce cycle time.

In its holemaking program, for example, Dormer Pramet’s range of high-speed steel drills include the A108 and A147 for machining stainless steel. The A108 is suitable for handheld operations, while the A147 is more relevant for CNC machines.




The Force M assortment of solid carbide drills (pictured) are specifically for stainless steel. Providing a high level of productivity across a diverse variety of machines and conditions, these Dormer drills are ideal for general engineering and sub-contract environments.

Within its threading program, customers turn to the company’s Shark range of material specific taps. Recognisable by the coloured ring on the shank which identifies suitability for specific materials, the Shark line enable quick and easy tool selection. For stainless steel, all taps with a blue colour ring, such as the E240, E238 and the E414, are the first choice for these applications.

Available with Steam Temper or Super-B (a hard lube coating that prevents chips adhering to the flutes) coatings with specific edge preparation, these Blue Shark taps provide extended tool life even in the most difficult material.

Dormer Pramet’s economical face milling range for stainless steel includes octagonal inserts for cutting depths 4 – 10 mm and a double positive 45° cutter. Suitable for use even on machines with limited power, the combination of OEHT inserts and S45OE cutter (pictured) offers high metal removal rates with low cutting force.

Meanwhile, Dormer Pramet’s range of turning tools for stainless steel includes the NMR geometry, which provides a reliable option for longitudinal and face turning, with high stock removal in medium and roughing operations. The NMR sits alongside additional double-sided chip breakers for turning stainless steel applications, including the NM for medium turning and NF for finishing to medium turning.

www.dormerpramet.com

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