Does Cromgard conform to recognized Standards? Utility Stainless Steel is certified to ASTM A240 UNS S41003. Additionally it can be certified to European standards EN 10088-2 grade 1.4003 for stainless steel flat products, and EN 10028-7 grade 1.4003, which covers stainless steel flat products for pressure purposes. Can Cromgard be easily fabricated? Utility Stainless Steels can be fabricated with common processes used for structural and other grades of stainless steel. Cutting A number of processes both mechanical and thermal can be used. Mechanical methods include guillotining, sawing, blanking and piercing. Thermal cutting processes most commonly used are plasma and laser cutting.   Forming Cromgard can usually be formed on the same equipment, with the same tooling as for carbon steel.   Weldability Utility Stainless Steels are metallurgically designed to give good weldability characteristics. Their fine-grained microstructure is determined by micro-alloy element control, which prevents grain growth in the heat affected zone (HAZ) and ensures high integrity weld zone mechanical properties in section thickness' up to 1 ¼". Welding processes that can be successfully used include: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, PAW, laser, resistance spot and seam welding.   Coating and Painting Utility stainless steels may, under mildly corrosive conditions, develop a uniform rust colored patina. This does not affect the structural integrity of the steel, but for aesthetic reasons, painting may be required. Several coating systems are suitable, including epoxy, water based and powder coating. Detailed information and advice on all recommended fabrication processes can be obtained by request from American Utility Stainless' technical staff. Does Cromgard have proven corrosion resistance? Real time atmospheric corrosion testing of 12% chromium stainless steels has given corrosion rates as low as 0.00004"-0.00008"/year in moderate marine environments, an improvement of 250 times the life of unpainted mild steel under the same conditions. Detailed information is available on request. Can Cromgard provide an advantage in material handling applications? In wet or damp conditions where abrasion occurs, utility stainless steels have demonstrated excellent performance by resisting corrosive attack and so maintaining better flow and slideability characteristics compared to non or low alloyed steels, including abrasion resistant grades. In general it can be shown that in dry abrasion, utility stainless steels are no better than mild steel, but in a real industrial situation where corrosion is also present they have shown to be vastly superior to carbon and low alloy steels. When cost per unit volume loss is also taken into consideration then they are superior to all types of steel that have been tested. Further information is available on request. Is Cromgard readily available? American Utility Steels is the largest supplier of Cromgard and Utility Stainless Steel in the Americas. Our headquarters are located next to the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; additionally we have a sales office in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With stock locations in these areas and additionally in Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Washington, and California, we can respond to our customer's demands with speed and efficiency.