The materials utilized by the military industry are those possessing certain attributes that allow them to stay robust and work effectively even under harsh conditions. These properties include corrosion and heat resistance, strength, durability, and many others. One such material that carries the suitable characteristics for use in the military is steel. Military-grade steels can be of great benefit to the defense industry. Ergo it’s essential that they’re fabricated with quality in mind. Establishing quality control is possible for continuously hot-rolled uncoated sheet, strip, and plate steel products by using EN10051, a European standard that offers insights on these materials’ tolerances regarding shape and dimensions. Read on to uncover how EN10051 can establish a means of quality control for these types of military-grade steels.
What is EN10051?
Understanding the tolerances of shapes and dimensions relating to continuously hot-rolled uncoated sheet, plate, and strip steel products is crucial for confirming quality and managing variations that occur during manufacturing due to hot-rolling. EN10051 offers detail on the tolerances of these types of products, specifically ones with a rolled width between 600 – 2200mm. The tolerances relate to:
- Thickness: Establishes whether certain thickness variations are appropriate. By managing the thickness of these products, the military industry can produce armor plating offering ballistic protection that can be depended upon.
- Length: Defines the maximum amount of deviation that can occur from the ordered length. Supplying a product with the right length can ensure equipment for the military industry can fit well during assembly.
- Width: Clarifies the levels of variation in width. The military industry utilizes width tolerances to make sure specific parts can fit and perform effectively.
- Flatness: Specifies how much deviation can occur from a flat surface. Flatness tolerances help with load distribution for the military industry. They ensure that steel sheets and plates have as little warping as possible. Therefore, a surface will experience an even load distribution.
- Edge: Offers guidance about edges and how much they can steer away from straightness. When applied to the military industry, they help deliver safety, making sure edges are not irregular or sharp.
- Shape: Confirms the extent of deviation from the required shape. These tolerances can support military equipment, like mounted systems, that require a level and stable surface to work.
Fabricating Quality Military-Grade Steels
The production of military-grade steels requires the use of EN10051 as a framework. It offers information about the tolerances of products utilizing these steels and acts as a form of quality control. When military-grade steels are applied to military operations, their quality will impact their reliability and performance. If quality is left unchecked then equipment failure could occur, which could ultimately threaten lives and compromise missions.
EN10051 can be utilized to manage the quality of military-grade steels. It can help these materials fulfill quality and dimensional standards so they can offer reliability and safety. Here is how EN10051 can help deliver quality military-grade steel:
1. Defining Tolerances
EN10051 stands as a set of guidelines that provide advice on the dimension tolerances of military-grade steels. The military needs steel parts that can remain strong in high-stress conditions and can be exactly positioned. Tolerances specified by EN10051 can ensure the steel will work well in its military application and be a quality product.
2. Consistency
Many problems can arise from inconsistent military-grade steels. Alterations that occur in the steel’s thickness, shape, or edge quality may produce weak points that affect structural integrity. Therefore, the steel components could experience cracking, fatigue or, worse, failure. EN10051 helps produce consistent batches of hot-rolled steel that follow specifications. This consistency can be extremely useful when fashioning military hardware on the large-scale.
3. Quality Controls
Military contractors need materials that adhere to quality assurance standards. Applying EN10051 can help observe these standards, delivering insights about limits for width, thickness, flatness, length, and edge quality. Complying with the specifications delivered by EN10051 allows manufacturers to manage their production quality. It can also decrease the chance of defects that could affect safety and performance.
4. International Standards
EN10051 is known as a European standard. Therefore, it can be integrated and comply with alternative international military standards, including the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This helps sustain the quality of multinational military projects and support suppliers and manufacturers to generate materials that work with international and European specifications.
EN10051 Is The Key To Producing Quality Military-Grade Steels
The military industry depends upon the quality of military-grade steels being fashioned at a high standard to achieve successful military operations and ensure personnel remain safe. With the guidance EN10051 has to offer, military-grade steels can adhere to quality and dimensional standards, which, in turn, can support their performance and reliability. Here at Masteel, we understand the value of EN10051. This is why a number of our own stainless steels adhere to EN10051. Speak with our experts now to uncover more information about our stainless steels.