Trepanning
Trepanning is a precision machining method used to create large-diameter bores while minimizing material waste. Unlike conventional drilling, which destroys the core, trepanning removes it intact — allowing it to be reused for additional components. It’s a lot like making a donut and keeping the donut hole — efficient, resourceful, sustainable, and cost-effective.
As a secondary service, Best Stainless offers trepanning on our stainless steel, nickel alloy, and other materials including our 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Bar, 15-5 PH Stainless Steel Bar, or Nitronic 50 and Nitronic 60 Stainless Steel Bar., to help save your time and money. Over the years, we have seen countless projects requiring trepanning with numerous specifications, and our customers have always been satisfied with what they receive.
Contact one of our sales representatives today to inquire about our Trepanning services or see the other value-added services that we offer.
Offered Exclusively for Material Purchased from Us
At Best Stainless & Alloys, we offer trepanning as a value-added service exclusively for the stainless and nickel alloy products we supply. This service is only available as an enhancement to material purchased directly through us, ensuring:
- Full traceability of the material and machining process
- Reliable coordination and project oversight
- Consistent delivery standards and certifications
What is Trepanning?
Trepanning is a specialized deep-hole boring technique used to create large-diameter internal holes in solid bar stock. Unlike conventional drilling, which turns the entire core into chips, trepanning removes a solid cylindrical core — significantly reducing material waste and machining time.
This method is ideal for creating hollow bar, pressure-bearing components, and pre-machined blanks where internal diameters are required to precise tolerances.
Why Trepanning?
Trepanning offers measurable benefits for customers working with high-value materials like stainless steel and nickel alloys:
- Core Retention: Preserves the inner material as a solid slug
- Lower Waste, Higher Value: Minimal scrap compared to drilling
- Time Efficiency: Faster than deep drilling for large bores
- Dimensional Accuracy: Better concentricity and straightness
- Customizable ID/OD Combinations: Built to your spec
Service Capabilities
- Materials: Austenitic, martensitic, duplex stainless, and nickel alloys
- Max Bar Diameter: Up to 16″
- Max Bore Depth: Up to 12 feet (144″)
- Bore Sizes: Customized to project requirements
- Tolerances: Available upon request
- Industries Served: Oil & gas, aerospace, energy, machining, heavy equipment
Material Efficiency in Action
Trepanning removes just a ring of material around the intended bore, leaving the core intact — a valuable contrast to conventional boring. This recovered core can often be used for smaller components, reducing your overall material cost.
When dealing with expensive alloys, this difference can translate into thousands in savings across a production run.
Call us today at (713)482-4000
