Different Types of Steel Sheet Metal
Steel is a versatile product that can be used in a variety of different applications. It is strong, durable and requires very little maintenance over the long term.
Steel sheet metal can be made from a wide variety of alloys. These can include chromium, which improves corrosion resistance, or nickel, which adds strength to the metal.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a versatile material that can be used in many different applications. Its benefits include its sleek, reflective surface that makes it a popular choice in design applications and its ability to blend steel sheet metal with various design styles. It is also able to resist corrosion and is non-reactive. In addition, it can withstand high temperatures and is not magnetic.
Stainless steel sheet metal is available in a wide variety of grades. For example, type 304 stainless steel is commonly used in commercial and residential kitchens and other interior applications because it has good formability and excellent weldability. It is also very cost-effective. Type 316 stainless steel is often used in corrosive environments, such as marine applications, oil field equipment, chloride containment vessels, and chemical processing. It has great resistance to corrosion from abrasion and is also highly resistant to chloride attack.
Another common grade of stainless steel is called duplex, which has a higher level of corrosion resistance than standard stainless steels. It is especially useful in harsh environments, such as in coastal areas and marine conditions. It is also a popular choice for piping and exterior ducting because it offers a combination of strength, durability, and low maintenance requirements. It is an ideal material for food and pharmaceutical production facilities because it is hygienic and easily cleaned.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is a versatile material with a wide range of applications. It is available in a low, medium or high level of carbon content and can be hardened by heat treatment to increase its strength and durability. It can also be made flexible and ductile by adding iron and other alloys to it.
The low-carbon version of carbon steel is known as mild steel. It is a cost-effective option for general fabrication purposes when corrosion resistance is not a priority or when it will be coated with a protective process following its fabrication. Mild steel is also easier to form and weld than higher-carbon metals.
It is important to note that the low-carbon steel grades used for general fabrication can be corrosion resistant by applying a surface treatment like painting or hot-dip galvanizing. However, the corrosion resistance of medium and high-carbon steels is poor. These grades require a more extensive surface treatment to protect the metal from the elements.
Carbon steel is a strong material, but it is also brittle. This is why it is commonly combined with other alloys to create stronger and more durable metals. Common additions include chromium for rigidity, manganese for toughness and vanadium and nickel for added strength. These additional metals add to the strength of the steel while increasing its ductility, flexibility and hardness.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steel is made of different combinations of metals that create unique mechanical properties. These alloying elements can improve a metal’s strength, toughness, hardness, carbon steel manufacturer or corrosion resistance. These characteristics are important for a variety of applications, such as making car parts and tools.
The main elements that are used to make alloy steel are iron and carbon, but other elements may be added depending on the desired property of the alloy. For example, chromium can enhance hardness with small percentages (0.2 – 2%), while nickel increases the strength of the steel and adds corrosion resistance with higher amounts (4% – 18%). Manganese can be used to make the formed steel less brittle, while vanadium adds heat resistance and raises the melting point of the steel.
Alloy steels are used for construction projects that require a high level of durability, such as building bridges and skyscrapers. This is because it can withstand enormous forces without buckling or breaking. Ductility, or the ability to deform plastically, is also an important characteristic of alloy steels. This is defined by a combination of factors including elongation and reduction of area under tensile load.
Alloy steel is also essential for aerospace applications, as it can withstand immense pressures without failing. This is due to its excellent ductility and strength, as well as its resistance to fatigue and corrosion.
Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel is regular steel that has been coated with zinc to make it resistant to corrosion. It’s used in a wide variety of applications because it offers advantages like anti-corrosion, durability, energy saving, and environmental protection. The galvanization process creates an outer layer of zinc that is metallurgically bonded to the steel, creating a metal alloy that has both the strengths of steel and the durability of zinc. This makes galvanized steel ideal for use in outdoor environments, as it can resist rust for a long time.
The galvanization process also makes it easy to assess the condition of the coating by using non-destructive testing methods. This means you can check whether the coating is wearing away and needs replacing without having to dismantle any parts of a structure. This is an advantage over other types of metal, which may require dismantling to perform the same type of assessment.
The only disadvantage of galvanized steel is that it can corrode over time if it’s exposed to harsh conditions, such as high humidity or salt water. However, this can be offset by implementing proper maintenance routines to prolong the lifespan of the steel and prevent rust. In addition, it’s heavier than aluminum and thus not suitable for applications where weight reduction is a key consideration. However, this can be compensated for by choosing the right galvanization treatment based on the environment in which it will be used.