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Stainless Steel Strip and Stainless Steel Spring Wire Blog

300 Series Stainless Steel Wire

Posted on by Alice Stengel

300 Series Stainless Steel Wire

Spring makers, fastener manufacturers, and wire formers use 300 series stainless steel wire when corrosion resistance and strength are important product features.  Gibbs provides many stainless wire alloys including the most commonly used grades:  
    • 302
    • 304 
    • 316
300 series stainless steel is also sometimes referred to as 18-8 grades.  All 300 grades are austenitic.  Austenitic grades will not gain strength after heat treatment. They gain their tensile and yield strength by cold working or drawing. If hardening by heat treatment is required 400 series stainless wire should be considered.
302, 304, and 316 stainless steel wire is used for countless applications where high strength and corrosion resistance are required.  For added corrosion resistance 316 may be selected.  It is lesser in strength than 302 but it offers improved corrosion characteristics due to the added Molybdenum.
Common industries relying on 300 series stainless wire:
    • Automotive
    • Aerospace
    • Chemical Processing
    • Commercial Products
    • Electronics
    • Machinery
    • Medical
    • Oil & Gas
    • Recreational Vehicles
Many coatings and finishes are available including Bright, Soap, and Nickel.  Coatings are added for drawing purposes and lubricity for many processes including spring coilers.  Bright wire or “diamond drawn” is typically supplied under 0.025” diameter and often used for medical applications
Common specifications for 300 series wire:
    • ASTM A 313
    • SAE J230
    • AMS 5688
    • SUS304 WPB
All 300 grades can be supplied as Spring Temper, ¼ hard, ½ hard, ¾ hard and fully annealed.  Gibbs can provide custom-drawn wire to your specific tensile range.
Most 300 series wire is rated for maximum operating temperatures of 400 to 450 degrees (check specifications by alloy).
Much of the wire Gibbs provides to the industries noted above is used to manufacture springs.  When springs are made they go through a spring coiling process.  That process adds stress to the formed spring.  Most manufacturers stress-relieve their springs after forming.  Stress-relieving reduces the work-hardened stresses making the spring stronger. Many spring makers include this operation in-line with their coiling operation.
After coiling and stress relieving, the springs may also be passivated. The purpose of passivating is to protect the invisible oxide film that completely covers the surface of the parts by removing surface contamination so that the protective film layer is not interrupted. Passivating is done by immersing the parts in a nitric acid solution.
Gibbs is a premier supplier of tempered stainless steel wire in the US, Canada, and Mexico.  In addition to 300 series, we offer PH grades, 400 series, carbon steel, nickel alloys, specialty metals, cobalt alloys, and more.  For more information or to request a quote:  CONTACT US 

Gibbs-Online.com: Your 24/7 Customer Service Portal!

Posted on by gibbs1956

Gibbs is excited to present the new Gibbs-Online.com 24/7 digital customer service portal.  The new website allows customers access to all of their Gibbs documents:

  • Open & Closed Orders with Excel Download Options
  • Open & Closed with Excel Download Options
  • Invoices Payment Dates with Check Numbers and Open Invoice Totals
  • Invoice Reprints
  • Certification Reprint Request

It’s fast and easy!  Request your Gibbs-Online account in the form below!

Our Sales staff will always be there to assist but, if you’d like to have this extra layer of access to your account, it’s available to you now.   Contact us and sign up today!

    Yes

    Gibbs Is Growing!

    Posted on by gibbs1956

    Expanded Capabilities, Larger Stock Selection, and More From Gibbs!

    Precision Strip Reroll:

    Gibbs now offers an expanded selection of rolled precision strip in stainless, nickel, titanium, and other specialty metals.  We can provide smaller mill minimums than most reroll mills and the same high-quality strip, you’ve grown to expect.  Our precision rerolled coil can also be precision slit to extremely narrow widths, edged (round, square, broken corner), and oscillate wound to your spool specifications.

    Gauges as light as 0.0019″ & up to .100  

    Widths from .020″ up to 51″

    Additional Stainless Slit Coil Grades

    Gibbs can now supply additional slit coil grades of 321, 347, 409, 420, 430, 434, 439, 441.  Special Metals strip coil also available in titanium, nickel alloys, and duplex alloys.

    Chrome Silicon and Chrome Vanadium Wire

    View our expanded inventory of round chrome silicon and chrome vanadium wire in both valve and commercial quality.   Ask us about shaped Chrome Silicon and Chrome Vanadium.

    Chrome Vanadium Commercial Quality

    Chrome Vanadium Valve Quality

    Chrome Silicon Commercial Quality

    Chrome Silicon Valve Quality

    Special Metals Round Wire

    We’ve expanded our inventory of X750 and I600.  More sizes have been added to our spring tempered inventory.  Same day/next day shipping!

    Precision Drawn Round Wire 

    In addition to our vast inventory of spring wire products, we’re now able to provide many nickel alloys, titanium, and other specialty metals in round and shaped wire products.

    Rolled Shaped Wire Products

    Our shaped wire products are available in carbon alloys, stainless steel, nickel alloys, red metals, titanium, and other exotic alloys. Shaped wire offers ‘near net’ shapes reducing manufacturing and machining costs.

    To get more information about any of the offerings above call us at 800-800-4422 or email us: Request A Quote

    Our thoughts on the closing of ASW/Pengg

    Posted on by Alice Stengel

    Our thoughts on the closing of ASW/Pengg.

    We were saddened to see that ASW/Pengg is closing.  We have enjoyed working with this fine group of people since their inception.  They were both a competitor and a supplier.  In both cases, we always found that they operated with the highest degree of integrity and class.  They sold quality products by a staff of dedicated professionals to both spring manufacturers and distributors.  We wish everyone involved with them the very best.

    We know that their closure has many customers concerned about their supply options going forward.  The rest of this message is to assure you that Gibbs can immediately fill your needs in this regard.

    Gibbs® inventories a vast amount of spring wire including Chrome Silicon Valve and Commercial Quality, as well as, Chrome Vanadium Valve and Commercial Quality. 

    Chrome Silicon Commercial Quality (.019”-.625”) ASTM-A401

    Chrome Silicon Valve Quality (.0197” – .331”) ASTM-A877

    Chrome Vanadium Commercial (.207”-.625”) ASTM-A231

    Chrome Vanadium Valve (.080” -.362”) ASTM-A232

    Although we carry many grades of spring wire including stainless and nickel alloys, we are stocked and prepared for immediate requests for the Chrome Silicon and Chrome Vanadium grades ASW/Pengg is well known for.  We have the ability to service new and current customers from stock inventory for these grades.

    Our knowledge and experience with these alloys is wide-ranging.  Our Team has a deep understanding of how the wire finish and diameter tolerances affect spring performance and why those wire features are critical to the springs you manufacture.  You need your processes to be repeatable with little manufacturing loss and fast set up.  Our knowledge and experience makes Gibbs® a natural choice for spring makers.  Whether you produce springs for Automotive, ATV, Agricultural Equipment, Medical, or other industries, Gibbs understands what you need to produce the highest quality springs.

    As a global leader in the distribution of spring wire products, Gibbs® can offer material management services traditionally not offered by mill suppliers or other distributors. 

    Here are some of the many benefits Gibbs can offer you:

    Seasoned Wire Professionals: Decades of spring manufacturing and wire knowledge. We have many employees with over 30 years of experience in the spring wire industry.  We know our customers and develop lasting, trusted relationships. Our goal is to provide you repeatable, high quality, wire products.  Our relationships are built vertically throughout our organization with Sales, Management, Quality, Credit, Drivers/Shipping, and anyone from Gibbs® that touches your order.

    Stock and Hold Inventory for JIT Shipments:  Seven stocking locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

    Qualified and Tested Suppliers: We qualify mills with stringent ISO 9001:2015 procedures.  

    Splits:  Gibbs provides coil-splitting for sizes up to .207 diameter.

    Market Disruption Protection: Proactively manage hiccups in supply with our deep bench of qualified vendors. Gibbs® large-diameter Chrome Vanadium to ASTM-A231 supply will not be interrupted by ASW’s closure.

    We Can Match or Exceed Other Supplier’s Specialties: Gibbs® has the ability to provide spring wire with added value.  As an example, we can certify a portion of our stock to ‘super clean’.  Special coatings and finishes are common.

    Vast Inventory of Spring Wire: ASTM A1000 A & D are also available along with stainless wire in soap and nickel coat, music wire, specialty metals, and other brand names like Preco Z® and Corrostan®.  We can draw to custom sizes upon request. 

    Shaped, Flat, and Square Wire: Gibbs supplies custom made shaped wire products in any almost alloy.

    Samples for Qualification: We believe in our wire.  Gibbs® will supply samples for testing upon request.  Contact us for your samples.  

    We Sell Strip: Precision slitting down to .024” wide for all of the spring strip alloys you need along with your wire products.  We can edge and oscillate for longer cycle life and longer runs.

    When Problems Arise: We have many customers who have trusted us for over 40 years.  We value these long term relationships.  When things do go wrong, we’ll be here to stand by our products with the same world-class service we’ve been providing, since 1956.

    Get a Quote Today

    Helpful Tips for Social Distancing

    Posted on by Alice Stengel

    Helpful Tips for Social Distancing

    Most Americans are advised to social distance or have been required to shelter in place. Shopping for necessities can pose a real challenge. There are many delivery services available currently from most chain stores for all of the items you need. 

    While you use the list below to help make distancing easier, let’s remember others that may need help. Communities must come together in times of crisis. If we each help one person, we have made a big difference. We can remain safe and at a distance while helping those in need:

      • Donate to your favorite charity or church, they are struggling as donations wane.
      • Buy local. Order take-out weekly or buy a gift card from your favorite restaurant or store. It will help local businesses to stay afloat.
      • Call your elderly neighbors to see if they have the items they need.  Older people may not be as tech-savvy and may not know How to Shelter in Place Like a Prothey can get groceries and prescriptions delivered.  

    American’s come together in times of crisis. We all need to do our part. We can make a difference even though we’re at a distance.

    Here are some tips to help you avoid crowds and public places and still get everything you need.  This post is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to endorse any particular brand.

    GROCERIES:

    Many national brands and local stores deliver. For my area, I use Peapod https://www.peapod.com/ and Prime Now https://primenow.amazon.com/, delivering for Whole Foods. Both apps can be downloaded through the App Store for the iPhone or Google Play for Android. You may prepay by credit or debit card and the groceries are left on your porch/doorstep. There does not need to be *direct contact with the delivery person if you prepay.

    There are many items currently out of stock. You may want to enable “ok to substitute” if you don’t have brand preferences. Delivery charges may apply and some services offer tipping options which can reduce face to face contact with the delivery person. Use coupons? Many services allow you to submit product coupons when buying online. *See CDC guidelines for surface cleaning of all surfaces/products you come in contact with which may include grocery items

    TAKE-OUT:

    Don’t cook? Most restaurants are offering delivery service or curbside pickup. Many that did not traditionally offer delivery are now because of the shutdown. There are also options like Uber Eats and DoorDash®. They are third party companies that pick up and deliver to you. The apps can be found on the App Store for iPhone or via Google Play for Androids. Prepay via credit card and include tips in payment when possible to *minimize face to face contact. *Use CDC guidelines for sanitizing surfaces of various types of packaging.

    PHARMACIES:

    Use online pharmacy apps. Ask for 90-day supplies when possible. My local CVS store will deliver any item in the store including prescriptions. See CDC guidelines for surface cleaning of all surfaces/products you come in contact with including pharmacy items. The corona lives on various surfaces for extended periods. It may be recommended you sanitize pharmacy products & packaging.

    GYMS:

    Exercise can be a challenge if you are used to going to a gym. Some people live in areas where they can get outside safely for a run or walk 6 feet or further from others but, some are ‘shelter in place’ with no outdoor activities allowed. There are many online downloadable exercise videos. I subscribe to the Yoga Channel. Many are free and some have a fee.  Remember if you don’t already exercise you’ll want to discuss it with your doctor before starting.

    SPIRITS:

    There are alcohol delivery services. I had to double-check but in most areas, it’s considered an essential service!

    ONLINE GAMES:

    I must confess I’ve never ‘gamed’ but, this might be the right time to try online gaming. There are hundreds of online game streaming services that families can utilize for entertainment.

    ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE:

    And lastly, Amazon is a source for countless products. If you choose the paid version called “Amazon Prime” you get free delivery on many items. You can buy groceries, housewares, personal items, and access to Prime TV. They also offer Audible, an audiobook service for those that prefer to listen to their favorite books.

    ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCING:

    Stay connected with friends and family for free while distancing. Use Zoom.com to video chat with friends and family. Video chats are free for up to 40 minutes per call. Use the ‘gallery’ function to see everyone on the call in one view.

    *CDC:

    The link to the CDC website for additional information. The information changes and evolves daily. Check back to this link regularly for updates.

    * https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    If you have other ideas or apps that can be helpful, please share!