KVA STAINLESS™ has developed proprietary and patented methods to produce welded and brazed tubular forms and stamped and shelled structures, using martensitic corrosion resistant stainless steels. High strength structural shapes can now be integrated into high performance structural assemblies to reduce weight, increase strength and stiffness, without significant cost increases.

Excellent mechanical properties, including specific strength and stiffness, toughness and fatigue performance, in addition to corrosion resistance, can be achieved using martensitic stainless steels in place of other materials. Tensile strengths in excess of 200 ksi (1400 MPa) are capable from simple low cost, low distortion air hardening quench processes.

Stainless Steel

Stainless, or corrosion resistant, steels are defined as an iron-base alloys with a minimum 10.5% chromium content, which promotes the development of an invisible, adherent and self healing chromium-rich oxide surface film. Stainless steels are commonly divided into five groups, classified by their microstructure at room temperature: martensitic, ferritic, austenitic, duplex and precipitation hardenable....view Stainless Steel

Welding

KVA STAINLESS™' processing technology has overcome the conventional limitations of high-speed welding of air hardenable alloys, historically considered difficult, if not impossible, to weld. Previous production difficulties, such as cold-cracking of the heat affected zone (HAZ) under mechanical straining and forming, have been eliminated....view Welding

Brazing

Assemblies designed to take full advantage of KVA STAINLESS™ processing technology can benefit from utilizing high-temperature furnace brazing in their design. Brazing, a joining process whereby a non-ferrous filler metal or alloy is melted and distributed between a close-fitting joint interface by capillary action, can be accomplished reliably, repeatable with low operator skill, low cost and no loss of base metal strength in a simultaneous furnace hardening/brazing cycle....view Brazing

Heat Treatment

One of the key benefits of KVA STAINLESS™ technology for structural applications has proven to be the ease of forming complex stamping geometries. The material can be readily formed in its softer, annealed state, with low force, low cost tooling. Once the desired geometry is created, parts and entire assemblies can be heat treated to uniform microstructures and hardness/strength levels tailored to the individual application....view Heat Treatment

Patents

KVA STAINLESS™ processing technology enables the use of proven high-strength, high-performance materials in new, exciting applications. Worldwide patent protection ensures a competitive edge against infringement....view Patents