Sawing of Stainless Steel
A power hacksaw operated at nominally 80 strokes per minute with some 0.08 mm feed per stroke will give satisfactory results. At all times ensure a positive feed and avoid rubbing, which will induce glazing and work hardening of the metal. High-speed band saws work well on stainless steel with a speed of some 18 metres per minute.
High quality blades of High Speed Steel should be used. Sharp teeth are essential.
An emulsion of soluble oil is used as a cutting fluid. More diluted emulsions are needed for cutting Austenitic (300 series) steel to improve the cooling rate.
All grades of stainless steel, both wrought and cast, can be sawn.
The sawing of Austenitic grades (300 Series) is made more difficult due to their tendency to work harden. In cutting these grades the cut must be initiated without any riding of the saw on the work, a positive feed pressure must be maintained, and no pressure, drag or slip should occur on the return stroke.
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