Stainless steel forging is the shaping of stainless steel into industrial products using a combination of heat and compressive force. You use industrial stainless steel forging to make items like cylinders, sheets, sleeves, discs, plates, billets, blocks, hubs, shafts, rounds and rings for diverse manufacturing applications.

A stainless steel forging manufacturer can serve a variety of industries. The defense, aerospace, transportation, materials handling and marine industries, among many others, all use stainless steel forgings.

1. Connect with an industrial stainless steel forging supplier that has a lot of experience working with businesses in your industry.

2. Look for a stainless steel forging distributor website listing particular parts you need.

3. Find an industrial stainless steel forging manufacturer that works primarily with steel materials.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a stainless steel forging distributor that specializes in your industry

When you work with a company that specializes in the industry your business is in, you can feel confident about the company's expertise. If you're looking for specialized stainless steel products, try to find manufacturers and distributors that know the products and the context they fit into.

I recommend: Check out Ulven Forging if your business is in the construction, aerospace or transportation industry. Wichard USA works with the construction industry and provides stainless steel rigging equipment.

Look for stainless steel forging online information about the parts you need

The Internet is a valuable resource for stainless steel forging distributors. Visit the websites of companies that offer the kinds of stainless steel forging services you're looking for.

I recommend: Whether you need torch-cut or odd shapes, blanks, rings, bars, spindles, hubs or hollows, go to the website of Scot Forge. For tube forgings, hollow bars, gear blanks, rod ends or valve stems, review Wodin's online catalog.

Work with a manufacturer that specializes in stainless steel forging

Many companies offer a variety of forging. Some businesses owners prefer to use a manufacturer that only offers stainless steel products. The specialization process often means the manufacturer knows more about the process you need and can offer better rates than a company who offers the work but doesn't specialize in it.

I recommend: Liberty Forge works with all kinds of steel, including 20 different types of stainless steel. Great Lakes Forge makes a variety of shapes, such as blocks, rounds and spindles, exclusively from steel.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get recommendations from colleagues about stainless steel forging services they've used.
• •  Go to trade shows and exhibitions where you can network with representatives from stainless steel forging manufacturers and distributors. You can learn from them about their company's latest products and services.
• •  Look for companies with an ISO certification within the past six months or other quality-control certifications.