Drilling process of A588 weather-resistant steel plate

A588 weathering steel plate is a low-alloy high-strength structural steel plate that is resistant to atmospheric corrosion. It is mainly used for railways, vehicles and iron towers that require atmospheric corrosion resistance, and more for bridges, buildings, containers, etc.

A588 steel is known for its corrosion resistance properties, making it suitable for a variety of applications. To maximize its corrosion resistance, the steel is treated with oil, paint and zinc. In order to prepare A588 steel for drilling, the following steps must be followed:

1. Pre-drilling: In order to ensure the best and consistent drilling performance, the surface of A588 steel must be pre-drilled. This involves drilling small pilot holes in the steel plate before using a regular drill. Pilot holes must be removed with a deburring tool to ensure accurate drilling.

2. Holes Layout & Marking: To ensure an accurate and symmetrical hole pattern, the holes layout and marking must be done carefully. Using a scriber and a marker, the holes must be marked precisely, taking measurements of the distance between the holes. A small sampling is required to check if the measurement is accurate.

3. Selection of Drill Bit: A588 steel is hard and requires special drill bits to drill through. High-speed steel, cobalt, and carbide tipped drill bits are suitable to drill A588 steel. Care must be taken while selecting the drill bit, as it should be compatible with the surface finish and the hardness of the A588 steel.

4. Drilling: Once the pre-drilling and marking is done, the drill bit's shank must be lubricated with cutting fluid and tightened correctly in the drill bit holder. A high drilling speed and low feed rate must be maintained to ensure clean and precise holes. Care must be taken while drilling and offer support at the back side of A588 steel plate to avoid breaking the steel plate.

5. Deburring & Edge Finishing: After the drilling operation, it is important to deburr and chamfer the sides of the drilled holes. Using a deburring tool and an appropriate chamfer bit, the side walls of the holes must be smoothed and any rough edges must be removed.

6. Inspection: To ensure accurate drilling, inspection must be done on all the holes drilled in A588 steel plates. By using a pressure testing gauge or a Vernier caliper, the diameter of the holes must be measured and compared to the nominal size. Any discrepancies must be reported and corrective measures must be taken.

By following the steps above, precision hole machining can be performed in A588 steel plate with minimal effort and improved drilling performance. Proper maintenance and storage of drill bits and drill pipe can further extend tool life, resulting in a cost-effective drilling process.