Capabilities
American Alloy Fabricators, Inc. (AAFI) is a custom manufacturer specializing in stainless steel and specialty alloy fabrication for chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetics, and nutraceutical industries.
Since 1990, we have built pressure vessels, reactors, storage tanks, process piping systems, and more to ASME Code standards and exact client specifications.
Learn more about our fabrication capabilities, materials, welding certifications, and size ranges below.
Stainless Steel & Specialty Alloy Fabrication Services
We fabricate components and systems from stainless steel and high-performance alloys, with material selection driven by the chemical environment, temperature requirements, and surface finish specifications of each application.
Standard stainless steel options include 304/304L for general sanitary use and 316/316L for pharmaceutical and chemical applications requiring higher corrosion resistance. For more aggressive chemical environments, we work with specialty alloys, including:
- Hastelloy® — exceptional resistance to strong acids and reducing agents
- Inconel® — high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance
- Monel® — targeted resistance to seawater, hydrofluoric acid, and sulfuric acid
- Alloy 20 — designed for sulfuric acid service
- AL-6XN® — superior resistance to chloride-induced pitting and crevice corrosion
- Duplex 2205/2507 — high strength with improved stress corrosion cracking resistance
Our fabrication methods include CNC machining, waterjet cutting, tube bending, stamping, welding, and finishing.
Welding
All welding at AAFI is performed by certified professionals in accordance with ASME Section IX and AWS D1.1 standards, with full weld procedure specifications (WPS) and welder performance qualifications (WPQ) documented and traceable for every project.
OUR WELDING PROCESSES INCLUDE:
TIG (GTAW)
used for sanitary and
pharmaceutical applications
requiring high-quality,
clean weld profiles
MIG (GMAW)
applied to structural components,
larger vessels, and
production runs
Orbital welding
used for high-purity process piping
where 100% penetration and
consistency are required
Stainless steel fabrication takes place in a dedicated area, physically segregated from carbon steel work to prevent cross-contamination. Inert-gas backing is used during pipe and vessel welding to prevent internal oxidation.
WELD QUALITY VERIFICATION METHODS INCLUDE:
Post-weld finishing includes weld blending and grinding to specified Ra (Roughness Average) values, followed by passivation to restore the protective chromium-oxide layer on stainless surfaces.
Surface Finishing
We offer multiple finishing options to meet the surface quality requirements of pharmaceutical, biotech, and food-grade applications.
Mechanical finishing and polishing processes include:
- Mechanical polishing to specified Ra values — critical for vessels, filters, and reactors where product buildup and cleanability matter
- Electropolishing — removes a micro-layer of surface material for a smoother, more corrosion-resistant finish than mechanical polishing alone; standard for sterile biotech and pharma applications
- Grinding, deburring, and stroke sanding — for weld smoothing and cosmetic consistency
Our protective treatments include:
- Passivation — chemical treatment that enhances the chromium-oxide layer on stainless steel
- Alternative coatings — for external structural surfaces or non-process components
All surface finishes are validated through surface roughness testing (Ra measurement) to confirm compliance with sanitary and process specifications.
Sizes & Capacities
We fabricate equipment across a wide range of capacities, from lab-scale pilot vessels to large industrial systems.
| Category | Capability / Range |
|---|---|
| Vessel Volume | 0.25 liters to 25,000 liters |
| Maximum Vessel Diameter | Up to 108 in. (9 ft.) |
| Material Thickness | 20-gauge sheet up to 1.25 in. plate |
| Pressure Ratings | Full vacuum to 3,000+ PSI |
| Crane Lift Capacity | 40,000 lbs. (single lift) |
| Surface Roughness | Down to 10 Ra (with electropolish) |
| Process Piping Diameter | 0.5 in. high-purity tubing up to 24 in.+ industrial pipe |
Industrial Process Equipment Types
Our fabrication capabilities cover the full range of process equipment used in chemical, pharmaceutical, and related industries:
Pressure
vessels
Designed and stamped to ASME Code with full material traceability
Reactors
jacketed and agitated configurations for batch and continuous processes
Storage tanks
atmospheric and pressure-rated, in standard and custom configurations
Pilot plant vessels
lab-scale and small-batch equipment for process development and validation
Process piping
systems
Sanitary and industrial, including orbital-welded high-purity lines
Pressure
filters
Polished internal
and clean-in-place compatible designs
Environmental
equipment
Custom fabrication for waste treatment and containment applications
Each project begins with a review of process requirements, followed by engineering, fabrication, inspection, and documentation. Our 14–16 week standard lead time reflects the precision and traceability requirements of the industries we serve.
