If you’re thinking of initiating a metal project, an essential part of finding out how successful it will be is knowing where to buy steel and selecting the suitable material. You want one that will fit your desired budget, do well, look great, and work according to your preferences.
In addition, you should also tackle several aspects regarding your chosen material, such as how strong it is, how durable it is against corrosion, and how malleable it can be. But one thing you must consider is a material’s weight.
Depending on the load of the metal, your project could be either affordable or expensive, possibly affecting its movability properties. Keep reading below to find out how to calculate the weight of your metal project according to the type of metal you plan to use.
Steps to Calculating the Metal Weight of a Project
It’s quick and easy to measure the weight of your metal project, and you don’t require following a complicated process. Besides choosing a reliable metal supplier to provide what you need, all you have to do is follow the four steps below:
Establish the Sectional Area
The first step to determine the weight of your metal project is to make out the region of a cross-section of your chosen material. You will have to multiply the width of the cross-section with its height. Keep in mind that the area must be in square millimeters (mm2.)
Figure Out the Length
Once you know the weight of the metal product, you can move on to measuring the length of the metal product. This time, take note that the length must be in meters (m.)
Discover the Density
After learning the metal product’s weight and length, you should move on to knowing its density or its mass per unit of volume. For example, if the material comprises a density of 8 g/cm3, it means that in each cubic centimeter of the material, you can acquire 8 grams of mass.
You will need to look at a density table if you wish to accurately tell the density of the metal you want to use for your project. The table involves an array of metals, some of which have different grades and densities. Steel distributors can help you understand the table better and guide you in picking out the best metal for your project.
Learn the Weight
After gaining the measurements for the sectional area, length, and density of your metal product, it’s time to learn its weight by utilizing a specific calculation formula for metal weight.
Weight (kg) = Sectional Area (mm2) x Length (m) x Density (g/cm3) x 1/1,000
To get the weight of the metal, you must multiply the sectional area, length, and density together. Meanwhile, you have to divide the product by 1,000 to convert the weight to kilograms.
If you wish for an easier solution to attain the weight of the metal, you can use a metal weight calculator available online. That way, you simply have to enter the type of metal and its dimensions, and the calculator will automatically provide you an estimate of the weight of the metal.
Conclusion
It’s important to know the weight of your metal project because it can influence the cost, movability, and shipping expenses involved. To calculate the weight of your metal project, you should find out the sectional area, length, and density so that you can figure out its weight last.
Are you looking to hire structural steel suppliers near you in Alabama? KGS Steel offers structural steel and carbon steel solutions to our clients in need. Get in touch with us today to request a quote!
