Material Preparation and Cutting
Prioritize cold cutting methods (shearing, sawing) for thin sections (<12mm) to preserve material properties
For thermal cutting (plasma/laser):
Maintain optimal kerf width (typically 1-2mm for 10mm thickness)
Grind HAZ to a depth of 0.5-1mm to restore corrosion resistance
For oxy-fuel cutting, use low-carbon consumables to prevent contamination
Forming Operations (Bending/Stamping)
Bending guidelines:
Minimum bend radius = 2.5×t for thickness ≤8mm, 3×t for >8mm
For thickness >12mm, preheat to 100-150°C to prevent cracking
Springback allowance: 2-3° higher than carbon steel equivalents
Stamping requirements:
Tool clearance: 12-15% of material thickness
Recommended punch velocity: 5-8m/min for clean cuts
Use premium tool steels (D2 or equivalent) with TiN coating
Surface and Edge Treatment
Post-processing steps:
Deburr all edges to Ra ≤3.2μm
For exposed edges in corrosive environments:
Apply weathering steel primer (zinc-rich, 50-80μm DFT)
Or use patina acceleration treatments (copper sulfate solution)
Storage protocol:
Keep processed parts elevated, avoiding soil contact
Prevent water pooling during outdoor storage
Quality Control Measures
Dimensional verification:
Flatness tolerance: ≤1mm/m² after cutting
Bend angle tolerance: ±1° for precision parts
Material testing:
Conduct bend tests (180° flat fold) on sample pieces
Verify HAZ hardness (<350 HV10 to avoid brittleness)
Special Notes for Marine Applications
All cut edges in splash zones require:
Bevel grinding (30-45° angle)
Seal welding of overlapping joints
100% MPI inspection for critical components
Standards Compliance
Thermal cutting: ISO 9013 Class 2
Forming tolerances: EN 10029 Class N
Surface prep: ISO 8501-1 Sa2.5
