When it comes to metal supply, one of the most common choices is sheet metal. If a metal’s thickness falls within a certain gauged range, it’s categorized under sheet metal. Tradespersons have had much experience working with it one way or another. In this blog, we will explore sheet metal and typical uses of the material.
An Overview on Sheet Metal
As previously mentioned, sheet metal is what metal suppliers use as a category for metals that fall within a thickness of 0.018 to 0.250. There are several advantages that come with sheet metal, starting from its portability. Sheet metal is easy to stack and incredibly lightweight, which means shipping is a breeze.
Stainless steel and aluminum sheets are the ones people tend to buy the most. Take note that there are no millimeters or inches attached to those figures; that’s because a gauge is more commonly used. Gauge systems vary for materials’ thickness. Sheet metal can be made with the likes of:
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Bronze
- Copper
- Galvanized steel
- Stainless steel
- Steel
A chemical solution is applied to sheet metal after it’s fabricated, leading to UV resistance and avoiding corrosion. Metal roofs are among the top choices of homeowners precisely because of how durable sheet metal is.
Since there are several types of sheet metal, the uses vary pretty widely. That means there are performance standards that may not be met by some that are perfectly fit by others. Let’s look at some examples:
- Aluminum Sheet – This is another rather commonly used type of sheet metal, known for having resistance to corrosion. When there are worries related to the weight involved, this is put forward for use. That’s because it’s up to one-third of the density that steel has. Typical uses include aerospace parts, automotive parts, boat components, cookware, and marine structures.
- Carbon Steel Sheet – If there are no worries about corrosion or if there will be a post-fabrication process for protection, this is the usual choice. It’s affordable and more tensile than aluminum and copper, adding to its impressive versatility. Typical uses include store signs and car bodies, among others.
- Galvanized Steel Sheet – As the name suggests, a galvanizing process is used on carbon steel sheet metal. It’s protected from rusting through a zinc oxide coating on the steel’s outer surface. Typical uses include buckets, greenhouse equipment, irrigation pipes, and even marine vessels.
- Stainless Steel Sheet – This has extra alloying elements which help it to resist corrosion on its own. It’s quite durable and has an aesthetic appeal that’s widely preferred. Typical uses include aerospace engine components, high-performance marine vessels, and even structures, as well as pharmaceutical processing equipment. It’s also the standard for equipment that handles food, such as fast food grills and deep fryers.
Conclusion
Sheet metal is one of the most common materials that are used for aesthetics and structure alike. It refers to metals that have a thickness of 0.018 to 0.250. There are several benefits to it such as weather resistance and portability due to how light it weighs. It’s highly durable and used for metal roofing, among others.
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