The Most Common Metal Used In Sheet Metal Manufacturing
In the world of part manufacturing, sheet metal fabrication is prevalent. Almost every industry, from automotive to energy and many others, relies on it to produce a wide range of products. Why is it so popular among industries? Because of the advantages it offers over other manufacturing methods. First, the processing time is reduced significantly, enabling industries to manufacture more parts in less time. Second, the finished product is devoid of irregularities that may otherwise hamper the functionality of the product. What’s more important to know is that sheet metal fabrication ranges in terms of the metal used for fabrication. Today, this article is going to cover the most common metal for metal fabrication in industries. Let’s dive in:
Stainless Steel
You may have heard of stainless steel metal fabrication. It’s one of the most popular ways to manufacture durable parts and equipment from stainless steel. Stainless steel is the amalgamation of carbon steel, chromium, aluminum, and other elements, forming a highly corrosion-resistant metal. Known for its distinctive polished mirror coating, it is lustrous, brittle, and fails to tarnish in air. Stainless steel metal fabricators use it in a myriad of applications such as surgical instruments, metal ceramics, cookware, appliances, cabinet fittings, and collectibles.
Iron
Talk of the metals and iron doesn’t get a mention? It’s the most readily available metal on earth and is known as a chemical element. What’s more, parts made from it are extremely durable and cost-effective. Also, it’s essential for the production of steel.
Steel
Instead of stainless steel, many stainless steel metal fabricators use steel to manufacture products. It is an alloy of iron and carbon that usually includes a combination of iron ore, limestone, coal, and several other elements. In metal fabrication, it’s the second most metal used after stainless steel. It’s used in the manufacturing of construction materials, machinery, and weaponry.
Carbon Steel
The reason why it’s used in metal fabrication is its ability to be fabricated to different hardness levels depending on the amount of carbon mixed. As the quantity of carbon increased, the strength of it also increases; however the malleability and melting point decreases.
Aluminum
According to stainless steel metal fabricators, aluminum should be used more often in the manufacturing of industrial parts. It’s lightweight, versatile, and durable with good thermal and electrical conductivity. However, it does not withstand extremely high temperatures such as more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit but performs excellently at subzero temperatures. This is why it’s often ideal for low-temperature applications like aeronautics and refrigeration.
Magnesium
Being the lightest structural metal, magnesium is ideal for the production of products in which strength is not overly important but stiffness is necessary. It is used for the manufacturing of aircraft housings, metal ceramics, automobile parts, and parts of rapidly rotating machines.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for the best metal to meet your parts manufacturing requirements, it’s recommended to opt for the best metal. Generally, stainless steel metal fabrication with the lining of ceramics is the best path to go down. This is because of the properties of stainless steel and the advantages of ceramics technology.
