The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Industrial Metal
Are you new to the metal service industry and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the intricacies of ordering industrial metal products? Don't worry; you're not alone. Navigating the world of a metal company can be quite confusing for beginners. But fear not! We’re here to guide you through the process and provide you with valuable insights that will make your buying experience smooth and successful. As a newcomer, one of the fundamental aspects to understand is that metal is sold by weight. Whether you're dealing with galvanized sheet metal price, steel sheet metal, or other types of metals, comprehending the weight per foot or weight per square foot is crucial. Furthermore, familiarize yourself with the various grades of materials available. Metal materials span across different categories, like carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and more. Knowing the appropriate grade for your project ensures that you're getting the right material that meets the desired specifications and performance requirements. When you’re ready to embark on industrial projects that involve expanded metal, bar grating, and wire mesh, having a clear understanding of the end-use application is immensely beneficial. We tailor these products to fit seamlessly into their final destinations. This customization not only minimizes scrap but also reduces labor costs to ensure that the materials are efficiently integrated into your projects. Once you know your end-use, navigating the process of ordering these industrial metal products becomes less overwhelming. To ensure a smooth and successful buyer experience, we've put together comprehensive information on how to order each type. Let's dive in and explore the specifics for ordering expanded metal, bar grating, and wire mesh. Here's a breakdown of the key information you need to specify: Material Choose from options like carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. Type Select the type of expanded metal you need – standard/raised, flattened, or expanded metal grating. Quantity State the number of full-size or cut pieces required. Piece Size Provide width (Short Way of Diamond) x length (Long Way of Diamond). Shearing Indicate bond or random and specify direction. Tolerances Note any specific tolerances required. To order bar grating, consider the following details: Type of Grating Choose the material type – steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. Construction Decide on the construction type: welded steel, press-locked, riveted, heavy-duty, or swage-lock aluminum. Bearing Bar Spacing Specify bearing bar size and the center-to-center spacing of cross bars and bearing bars. Span Indicate the direction of bearing bars. Anchorage Type Choose from welded saddle clips, G Clips, Grate Fast Clips, Weld Lugs, or Z Clips. Finish Select the finish – mill finish, painted black, or galvanized. Surface Indicate whether you need a plain, serrated, or slip-resistant surface. Drawing Include a drawing with critical dimensions, area to be covered, span, and method of support. Application and Physical Requirements Consider the application, opening size, percent of open area, and other physical requirements. Special Fabrication and Accessories If needed, specify circle shearing, cut-outs, U-Edging, and stair tread details. To order wire mesh, keep these details in mind: Quantity Specify the number of standard rolls or partial roll lengths and widths needed. Material/Finish Type Choose the wire cloth material such as 304 stainless steel or carbon. Piece Size Provide the width and length of the wire mesh. Wire Diameter Indicate wire diameter in decimals, thousands of an inch. Wire Opening State the mesh count per lineal inch or width of the opening, along with its shape. Construction Specify whether it's woven or welded, including details on the edge wire requirement for welded mesh. Crimp Style and Opening Direction If necessary, mention the crimp style and the direction the slot should run. Certification Describe the wire mesh's intended use and any required certification. We’re your dedicated partner in this journey, offering valuable resources, expert guidance, and a commitment to ensure your success. We’re here to help so you can confidently step into the world of industrial metal products and embark on your projects with clarity and confidence. Not sure where to begin? Start your ordering process by searching our Digital Stock and Reference Guide to find specifications for industry-standard products, common conversion charts, and information on available processing services by product type.
Metal is the backbone of many high-quality commercial and industrial products. While metal alone does a nice job of adding durability, function, and strength, the right type of finish can add even more value to the end product. The right metal finishing technique can make a metal product or component all the better. But with so many metal finishing techniques available today, do you know which one is the right one for your application? In this post, we'll take a closer look at the technological importance of metal finishing and go through some of the more popular metal surface finishing techniques to help you decide which one is best. You can always contact your local industrial metal finishing company for more information: Some of the most popular metal finishes include: The technological importance of metal finishing is both functional and aesthetic. The most common reasons for specifying industrial metal finishing include: Look at the list above. Do one or more of these qualities take priority in your current metal product design? That will probably determine which finishing process (or processes) you should specify. Let’s look a little closer at each: What is electroplating? This involves depositing a metal or alloy onto the surface of an object via a solution. The solution contains dissolved ions of both the deposited metal and the substrate (original underlying metal). If electroplating sounds complicated, it's because it is — and because of how complicated it is and how difficult it can be to master the process, it's a finishing technique that can come with a hefty price tag compared to others. Benefits of electroplating: The benefits of electroplating are plentiful, and include superior corrosion protection and tarnish protection. You can add a non-corrosive metal over a cheaper, corrosive one to keep products such as appliances from deteriorating. But it’s especially popular for its decorative value. It may seem financially impossible for your design to incorporate rare and/or expensive metals like: Through electroplating, your manufacturer can cover a less valuable metal with the luster and beauty of a luxury metals at a fraction of the cost. For example, electroplating thin layers of chrome on kitchen appliances provides a pleasant, shiny appearance. What is galvanization? Galvanizing is an old process, having been used since the mid-1700s. It involves applying a zinc coating to steel or iron, mainly to prevent rusting and corrosion. The most common galvanization method involves dipping the metal part into a pool of molten zinc. Benefits of galvanizing: It's simple and more affordable compared with other metal finishing techniques. So if your product’s market is not high-end, you may be able to get away with galvanizing. Galvanized metal has found its way into several household appliances, including washing machines and air conditioner housings. The nice thing about galvanized steel is that it’s low-maintenance -- your customers won’t have to repair or replace it often, as it has self-healing properties. What is powder coating? This dry finishing process applies powder to a product, then heats it to produce a protective layer. It basically amounts to painting, but much neater. About 15% of all metal component finishing is done via powder coating. Benefits of powder coating: It's a combination of aesthetics and function. Many product makers love the powder coating process for its high-quality, high-end look. And despite what you might’ve heard, it comes in a huge variety of colors, textures, and patterns. It also applies a thicker, more even coat than paint, mitigating the need for additional coats. If your component or product will be customer-facing and dependent on a great look, powder coating’s your choice. Powder coating also offers modest improvements to product durability, a bit more so than paint. It’s also more affordable than many other finishing processes -- did you know that any excess powder can be collected and reused? What is paint? We’re guessing you already know the answer. Specifically, wet industrial painting involves the use of a spray, pump, or vessel to distribute paint evenly. Benefits of paint: The main, obvious benefit to painting metal is appearance. Paint comes in a seemingly endless number of shades that are easier to achieve than with powder coating. (Customized colors for powder coating sometimes adds cost.) And if you actually want a thinner coat, you’re better off with paint than powder. Paint is affordable to purchase and easy to apply. If you’re on a tight budget and not concerned about long-term wear and tear, paint may work for you. Just remember that paint doesn't offer the same structural and durability benefits as some of the other finishing techniques on this list. What is stainless steel? This high-end steel contains chromium for resistance to rust and tarnishing. Benefits of stainless steel: There's a reason why stainless steel has become the material of choice in several industries. It has a uniquely sleek look, even if you don’t apply an extra finish. Of course, there are several stainless steel surface finishes available, such as polished. A stainless steel surface is smooth, reflective, and clean-looking. Stainless steel is also rust- and corrosion-resistant. Where would this be potentially useful? The medical and food industries, for starters. A mirrorlike, rust-free finish gives a perception of cleanliness. This is incredibly important in food preparation or hospital settings. Stainless steel is easy to clean and sterilize. A drawback of stainless steel is that it's expensive, but it’s still cheaper than gold, copper, or silver. What is e-coating? Short for electrophoretic painting or electrocoating, e-coating is what you’d get if painting and plating had a baby. E-coating starts with your component being dunked a water-based solution containing a paint emulsion. Next, voltage is applied, condensing the paint onto the part. The result is a thin, protective layer. Color options are very limited, with the most common being black. Benefits of e-coating: This is a very uniform finish that provides 100% coverage, no matter the part’s shape. Because of the way it’s applied, e-coating is typically a better option than powder coating when finishing parts that contain hard-to-reach areas. The coating is resistant to corrosion and wear, and it promotes adhesion. E- coating layers can be made thin, after which you can apply paint. (This is common in the auto industry.) Note that you can combine powder coating with e-coating. This could prove beneficial in a variety of projects: Don’t struggle to make a final decision on your industrial metal finish -- let an experienced manufacturer make it for you. A manufacturer that specializes in most, if not all, of these finishing services knows what’s worked and not worked in the past. Click the button below to ask an engineer today!How to Order Expanded Metal
How to Order Bar Grating
How to Order Wire Mesh
6 Industrial Metal Finishing Techniques
Electroplating
Galvanization
Powder Coating
Paint
Using Stainless Steel
E-Coating
Don’t Cross the Finish Line Alone