Bright Bar: uses, grades and how they are made.
Stainless steel round bars are among the most demanded type bright bars in the manufacturing sector. As a result, they are in use in the making of implements and machine components.
In this article, I will be covering the following topics:
WHAT IS A BRIGHT BAR?
“Bright bars are steel bars which are geometrically in precise shape and have tolerance which is tight dimensional. Its surface finish is smooth and shiny, which appears to be bright. Bright steel bars have several uses and applications. They are available in rounds, flats, hexagons, and squares.” – Hindustan Ferro Alloy Industries Pvt. Limited
DIFFERENT GRADES
VISHWA compiled a list of technical specifications for SS Bright Bars as shown below. Please refer back to VISHWA for more information:
- ASTM A 276
- ASTM A 314
- HARDNESS CONVERSION CHART
- ASTM A 582
- ASTM A 484
- CONDITIONS AND SURFACE FINISH
- ASTM A 476
- ASTM Tolerance
- DIN Tolerance
THE PROCESSES OF HOW THEY ARE MADE
Hot Rolled Bars/Wire Rod Coils produces Bright Bars through the process of cold drawing, centerless grinding, peeling, shaving, turning or a combination of these processes. It is produced with greater dimensional accuracy, straightness, smooth surface, and is free from surface defects and enhanced mechanical properties. Theo’s Metals can supply Bright Bars in the following sections:
COLD DRAWING PROCESS
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RAW MATERIAL
Raw/input material uses hot rolled steel bar. Because the high temperatures extrude the hot rolled products, they generally have a rough and scaled surface and may also show the difference in diameter and length.
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DRAWING
The material is at the room temperature during this process, (i.e cold-drawn). One end of each bar goes into the gripping device of the drawing machine. The drawing machine pulls or draws the bar through the die. The die reduces the diameter of the original bar and increases the length of the bars.
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FINISHED PRODUCT
The finished product is the drawn bar (also referred to as cold drawn), which creates a bright or polished finish. This process increases mechanical properties, improves machining characteristics, as well as precise & uniform diameter tolerances.
PEELING PROCESS
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RAW MATERIAL
Raw/input material is in use for hot-rolled steel bar. Because the high temperatures extrude the hot rolled products, they generally have a rough and scaled surface and may also show the difference in diameter and length.
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PEELING:
The material is peeled at room temperature in this process. The bars are fed by the feeder rollers into the peeling machine. Peeled bar tolerances are even better than the drawn bar.
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FINISHED PRODUCT:
The peeled bar creates a bright or “spirally” polished finish with increased mechanical properties, and improved machining characteristics with precise & uniform diameter tolerances.
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GRADES:
There are a few different grades of steel that are made: EN3A, EN8, EN9, EN19A/R and EN19T. Each grade is used for different applications.
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SIZES:
The size range is quite vast, ranging from 16Ø – 160Ø in peeled and 6Ø – 80Ø in drawn. The diameter range differs in the various materials
- The bright bar helps save machining time and has very close tolerances. A few of the uses are rollers, pins, axles and precision components.
THE DIFFERENT USES OF BRIGHT BARS
Some common applications of Bright Bars in the manufacturing sector are the following:
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In the making of fastener products
Stainless steel round bars are in high demand for making different types of fastener products like bolts, nuts, pins, and rivets. These could be micro-size to mega-size, depending upon the application and custom requirements. The Bright Bars in round shape is a perfect base material for machining and making these fasteners that are used in ambiances or the domestic applications.
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Manufacture of tools
Round bar manufacturers in India and around the world are supplying high-grade SS base material for the making of tools and implements of direct use by technicians and mechanics. The round Bright Bars are a good choice for machining them economically and derive tools in custom shapes and forms.
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Manufacture of machine components
Bright bars in different shapes and sizes are directly in use for manufacturing the machine components like the smaller ones used in automobile engines. The manufacturers are supplying very high-quality SS base products to the ancillaries and brands for making these machine components.
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Engineering and construction sector
Stainless steel round and flat bars are often in use in construction and engineering projects. These provide immediate stability and strength and hence the project could be quickly accomplished through the modular Bright Bars products.
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Rails and trellis
With the manufacture of trellis and fences or rails in buildings, square, round and flat bright bars are being used. As a result, these days the SS bright bars are in high demand for making fancy trellis and staircases.
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Automobiles
Different grades of steel bright bars in flats, squares, and rounds, are used in automobile frames and chassis. All such uses of steel bright bars have emerged because of the precise dimensions in which these products are made available by the manufacturers. The applications mentioned above have the common demands for accuracy and stability, which is ensured through the quality SS bright bars.