The Right Hands for the Job: Alloys
How to choose a fabricator for alloy projects:
For any project requiring alloy equipment, the first action to take is to evaluate the experience and expertise of the people working with the alloy.
A fabricator should be ASME Section VIII Div 1 certified for the manufacture of pressure vessels, even for equipment not requiring pressure service.
Prior to accepting an order, a fabricator should have developed acceptable welding procedures for alloy materials. Weld procedures for ASME code require special testing methods, which are designed to ensure welding methods are conducted n a satisfactory condition. This is of great importance because welds are often the first place for failures to develop in equipment.
The fabricator should have extensive experience in fabricating from the selected material and fabricating equipment similar in design or size. Many high nickel alloys and reactive metals are difficult to form due to their higher tensile strength. Their behavior in standard metal forming processes (bending, drawing, cold forming, etc.) are not always similar to more ductile alloys like stainless steel. Many of the welding processes are different, often times much slower, and will require special processes, gas mixtures, or purging systems. A quality fabricator should be able to tell what they can do to ensure your project will be to your specifications.
Ask where the fabricator buys their materials. Do they fabricate components in-house or subcontract? How do they ensure quality on subcontracted items? Some fabricators source materials from overseas to save cost, which could sacrifice overall quality. Don't be afraid to ask these questions. With some materials having a cost of $20 to $30 per pound (or more), any quality issues, both short and long term, will be expensive to remedy. It is essential to put trust in the right fabricator in order to achieve ideal results.
CSI is an expert fabricator for super alloys AL-6XN® alloy and Hastelloy® C-22® and are able to answer any questions you may have. To speak to a representative, call 417.831.1411.
ABOUT CSI
Central States Industrial Equipment (CSI) is a leader in distribution of hygienic pipe, valves, fittings, pumps, heat exchangers, and MRO supplies for hygienic industrial processors, with four distribution facilities across the U.S. CSI also provides detail design and execution for hygienic process systems in the food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and personal care industries. Specializing in process piping, system start-ups, and cleaning systems, CSI leverages technology, intellectual property, and industry expertise to deliver solutions to processing problems. More information can be found at www.csidesigns.com.