A stainless steel fabrication shop in Wisconsin quoted a 500-gallon vertical storage tank for a dairy processing plant. The tank was 304 stainless steel, 48" diameter × 60" tall, with dished heads top and bottom, a 3" sanitary tri-clamp outlet, and a hinged manway. All welds required full penetration GTAW (TIG) with back purge for sanitary root quality. Post-weld treatment included passivation per ASTM A967 and an interior #4 polish. IronKit priced the tank with separate line items for raw sheet, forming, TIG labor, and post-weld finish — the shop said the passivation and polish line items alone justified using the tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does passivation cost on a stainless tank?
Passivation per ASTM A967 typically runs $400–800 for a 500-gallon tank, depending on the method (citric vs. nitric acid). This quote prices it at $580 — in line with Midwest rates for citric passivation.
Why is TIG welding priced at $110/hr for stainless?
Stainless TIG requires back purge setup, slower travel speed, and strict interpass temperature control. The premium over carbon steel TIG ($95/hr) reflects the additional setup time and consumable gas cost.
Does IronKit handle sanitary fittings?
Yes. Tri-clamp outlets, manways, and other sanitary fittings are available as standard line items. IronKit prices them individually so the customer sees the exact fitting cost.