Cold welding stainless steel | Stainihard®
Part of Aalberts
Stainihard® is a unique trademark registered by Aalberts Surface Technologies Eindhoven B.V. Aalberts Surface Technologies is part of the global industrial specialist Aalberts N.V. Over 14,000 people work for Aalberts in more than 50 countries.
cold welding of stainless steel, also known as galling: what is it and how can we prevent It?
Cold welding, or galling, happens when metal-to-metal contact leads to parts sticking together, such as with threaded connections. Our unique process, Stainihard®, effectively combats cold welding while maintaining corrosion resistance and improving tribological properties.
what is cold welding of stainless steel?
Cold welding, also known as galling, occurs when stainless steel parts rub against each other under pressure, leading to surface damage and adhesion.
applications and solutions:
Cold welding is a common issue in stainless steel machinery and component manufacturing. Stainihard® offers solutions that enhance durability and prevent galling in various applications, such as:
- Threaded connections: Prevents wear and galling, ensuring reliable and long-lasting connections.
- Hinges and bearing points: Ensures smooth movement without lubrication, extending component life.
- Valves and seals: Reduces wear and prevents galling in industrial environments, ensuring efficient operation.
- Machine parts: Enhances durability in high-wear environments, preventing cold welding and extending component life.
- Food processing pumps: Prevents cold welding and increases wear resistance, reducing downtime in the food industry.
how does cold welding occur in stainless steel?
- Tightening of fasteners: When tightening fasteners, such as bolts or nuts, pressure is created between the contact surfaces of the metal parts.
- Contact between metal parts: When metal parts come into contact with each other, the pressure between the contact surfaces increases further. This process is common in threaded connections and other metal-to-metal contacts.
- Increase in pressure and friction: The increasing pressure between the contact surfaces results in increased friction. This friction leads to damage to both the external and internal parts of the metal.
- Damage to surfaces: Due to the pressure and friction, the surfaces of the metal parts become damaged. Microscopically small particles are dislodged, creating roughness and irregularities.
- Adhesion of damaged surfaces: The damaged surfaces of both the external and internal parts tend to adhere to each other “weld” as a result of the deformation and the created roughness.
- Formation of cold welding or galling: The adhered surfaces result in cold welding or galling, which can lead to the seizing of metal components. This phenomenon is undesirable and can cause production problems and damaged equipment.
Preventing cold welding is crucial to ensuring the durability and functionality of stainless steel (SS) components. An effective method to prevent this is to treat at least one of the metal parts with advanced surface treatments, such as the Stainihard® process from Aalberts Surface Technologies. This treatment minimizes the risk of surface damage and adhesion, significantly reducing the chance of cold welding.
who can benefit from our services?
Our services cater to R&D managers, engineers, and procurement professionals in the stainless steel machinery and component industries. Preventing cold welding helps extend component life and reduce production downtime.
advantages of preventing cold welding:
There are no advantages to cold welding stainless steel, but the disadvantages are significant. Applications can seize up, and for example, bolt connections can become irreparably damaged. We are happy to help you avoid these risks.
that’s why you choose Aalberts Surface Technologies:
- Specialization: We are the specialists in surface and heat treatments.
- Unique process: Our process combines enhanced properties while maintaining corrosion resistance.
- Dedicated team: Our engineers are ready to provide customer support and project guidance.
FAQs about cold welding stainless steel:
Cold welding happens due to high pressure and friction between two moving metal surfaces, leading to adhesion.
Cold welding, or galling, can be prevented using advanced surface treatments like Stainihard® or regular maintenance and lubrication to reduce friction.
Cold welding leads to unusable components, stuck connections, and irreparable damage, reducing performance and lifespan.
No, cold welding can occur in various stainless steel applications, ranging from threaded connections to other metal contact points. It is a problem that arises where metal parts are pressed together under pressure and friction occurs.
Our specialists treat stainless steel with the Stainihard® process to effectively prevent galling and increase durability. The Stainihard® process is an advanced surface treatment that combines enhanced properties with the preservation of corrosion resistance, minimizing the risk of cold welding without the need for lubricants and/or other additional materials. By choosing Stainihard®, you benefit from durable and reliable stainless steel components with an extended lifespan.
Contact us to eliminate cold welding in stainless steel
Discover how Aalberts Surface Technologies can help eliminate cold welding in stainless steel. Contact us for tailored solutions to enhance your stainless steel components’ performance and outlast the competition.
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Address details
Aalberts Surface Technologies Eindhoven B.V.
Achtseweg Noord 3 / 5651 GG Eindhoven / The Netherlands
