Different sheet metals have unique properties which make them suitable for various applications; it is important to know what the strengths and weaknesses of a particular sheet metal are before deciding on its purpose.
In this article FSM Manufacturing cover the details of some sheet metals that are commonly used within the engineering and manufacturing industry.
Cold Reduced & Hot Rolled Mild Steel
Cold reduced (CR) and hot rolled (HR) mild steel is a preferred choice of sheet metal for many construction industries due to its durability and strength where hot-rolled steel is an excellent choice of sheet metal for structural components as it can be easily shaped and is much more malleable, cold-reduced steel provides a smoother finish with an increased hardness, making it suitable for doors and frames.
Zinc Coated Mild Steel
Also known as galvanized steel, the added layer of zinc prevents steel from rusting which makes it the ideal type of sheet metal to use for roofing, flashings and cladding as these are structural components of a building that can be exposed to harsh weather conditions.
You can also get Zintec, which is electro-plated zinc on mild steel. This type of sheet metal can be used for electrical components and in the assembly of car parts such as the chassis and brackets.
Stainless Steel
The most desirable feature of this type of sheet metal is that it is non-corrosive. This makes it ideal to use as part of food processing and medical equipment, where hygiene is paramount.
Stainless steel is available in various grades which means that characteristics such as toughness, corrosion-resistance and magnetism can vary depending on which grade is being used due to different chemical compositions.
Regardless of grade, stainless steel is undeniably strong and corrosion resistant in the most extreme conditions which makes marine grade 316 the perfect choice for our security panels and doors.
Aluminium Sheet Metal
Being both lightweight and corrosion-resistant makes aluminium the perfect sheet metal solution for the automotive industry. Aluminium is also highly malleable which makes it well suited for motor sport vehicle components.
It’s malleable and corrosion-resistant characteristics also makes it suitable for use in camera housings and electrical enclosures where design flexibility and resilience are needed.
Copper Sheet Metal
Copper offers excellent electrical and thermal conductivity which makes it perfectly suited for electrical applications such as wiring, heat sinks and superconductors.
Due to it being non–reactive, copper sheet metal is an effective application for pipes and electrical cables. It can also be used for decorative panels due to the metal forming a protective layer of copper oxide when it is exposed to the atmosphere, helping to retain its visual appeal.
Brass Sheet Metal
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy, making it more ductile than either of these metals alone in addition to being highly corrosion-resistant.
Brass sheet metal is commonly used in the manufacture of musical instruments due to having good acoustic properties and friction-resistance. Other common applications include security panels and decorative items due to its natural brightness and appealing colour.
Specialist Types of Sheet Metal
Below are some more sheet metal types that have a variety of applications. It is important to note that, because of their specialist nature, these types of sheet metal might not be applicable to the sheet metal fabrication services we offer at FSM.
Titanium Sheet Metal
This type of sheet metal has a very high strength-to-weight ratio making it well suited for use in military armour, high-performance vehicles and aerospace components. Titanium is also very corrosion-resistant which is important for the aerospace and military industry in particular.
Nickel Sheet Metal
Nickel is highly corrosion-resistant and durable against extreme temperatures, making it ideal for use in aerospace and chemical processing applications. In addition, it’s corrosion-resistant properties make nickel a good choice of sheet metal for marine applications.
Tin-Coated Steel
Tin-plated sheet metals are coated with a layer of tin to prevent corrosion, making them well suited for use in food cans and providing a packaging solution that is easy to ship and store. Tinplate has high solderability and weldability, which means it can be used for making electrical machinery parts and small-scale electronics shielding.
