Custom 316Ti Special Profiles for an Ore Smelting Facility
A global mining industry leader commissioned Montanstahl to manufacture a set of custom structural sections for a smelting facility in Indonesia. The profiles served a dual function: structural roof supports for the facility and technological elements integrated directly into the ore extraction process. Most sections were specified in stainless steel 316Ti, a titanium-stabilised austenitic grade suited to high-temperature and corrosive industrial environments, with one section in carbon steel S355J2. All welding had to comply with both ASTM A1069 and European EN welding standards simultaneously, and tolerances were agreed directly with the customer’s engineering team through an active coordination process throughout production.
Why 316Ti for an Ore Smelting Environment
Standard 316L is the baseline corrosion-resistant austenitic grade for most industrial applications. In ore smelting environments where elevated temperatures are sustained over long periods, carbon sensitisation at grain boundaries can become a concern with standard 316L: carbon migrates to grain boundaries during prolonged high-temperature exposure, reducing local chromium availability and compromising corrosion resistance. The titanium-stabilised variant 316Ti counters this by preferentially forming titanium carbides, keeping chromium in solution and maintaining corrosion performance at higher service temperatures. For structural and process elements in an ore extraction and smelting facility operating at elevated temperatures, 316Ti is the technically appropriate grade choice.
Custom Geometry, Dual Standard Compliance, and Engineering Coordination
The project required multiple custom cross-section geometries in varied materials, with tolerances refined through direct coordination between Montanstahl’s production team and the customer’s engineers. Producing sections that simultaneously comply with ASTM A1069 for laser fused stainless steel structural sections and the corresponding European EN norms requires careful process control and documented verification: the two standard frameworks approach qualification differently, and meeting both from a single production run is a procurement advantage for projects with international supply chains. All profiles were supplied in 6-metre bar lengths for flexible on-site cutting, reducing the complexity of custom length management at the fabrication stage in Indonesia.
Application Context
This project is part of Montanstahl’s Metals & Mining segment, where laser fused special profiles in stainless steel and structural carbon steel are specified for ore extraction, smelting, and mining infrastructure requiring custom cross-section geometries and compliance with multiple international standards. Mining facilities in Southeast Asia and globally often operate under dual or multi-standard procurement requirements reflecting international engineering and financing frameworks. Montanstahl produces custom sections to the client’s drawings in any required grade and can document compliance with both ASTM and EN standards from a single production run, supplying to metals and mining projects worldwide.