Sheet Metal Forming
Today, metal, more so sheet metal, is conspicuous in every aspect of human life from construction, manufacturing, processing, among other key areas. Metal usage, however, is widely used and not confined to large industries. Many households own both simple metallic objects like cutlery and more sophisticated objects like home fittings. Sheet metal is the most versatile form of metal due to its wide application in various industries. These metal sheets are indispensible components in society and as they play a very significant role, hence the need to elaborate on them.
Fundamentals of Sheet Metal
Sheet metal is simply any piece of metal that is cut and shaped into thin and flat pieces and later forged into a variety of designs through fabrication. For ease of transportation, metal workers use a roll slitter to create rolled sheets. Different industries require varying thickness for sheet metal. For instance, thick gauge, 6mm form plates, are used for heavy duty applications such as ship building while very thin pieces, which are know as foils, are used as food packaging material. A gauge is the unit of thickness used for sheets and ranges from 30 to 8 with a larger gauge number used for thinner sheets. Measurement, however, varies between ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as copper which uses Ounces for measurement. Although sheet fabrication techniques have advanced over the years to include laser cutting, ductility technique still remains at the heart of sheet fabrication.
Common Materials used in Making Sheet Metal
sheet metal work
Aluminum
In its pure form, it is soft with poor strength properties. Alloy formation creates two broad aluminum sheet categories namely; heat-treatable when aluminum, silicon, copper, zinc and magnesium form an alloy. Non-heat-treatable aluminum combines with magnesium, silicon, iron and manganese. Four grades produced from these alloys are Grades 1100-H14 (QQ-A-250/1d), 3003-H14 (QQ-A-250/2c), 5052-H32 (QQ-A-250/8d) and 6061-T6 (QQ-A-250/11d) each with a distinct alloy and strength.
Steel
It can be formed either by hot or cold rolling. There are various types of steel based on the carbon content present. Each type has got different characteristics and is used for a different purpose. Though hot rolling is less expensive, the surface slag created is unacceptable in most cases. Cold rolled steel has excellent surface, material consistency and accuracy in thickness. In addition, steel has easier resistance spot-welding than aluminum and lower cost per pound though corrosion protection might negate these benefits.
Stainless steel
This is an alloyed steel type that reduces the effects of corrosion by adding nonferrous alloys such as nickel which reduces iron exposure to the surface. Alloys created include 304, 316 and 410 each with different strength and corrosion resistance.
When buying sheet metal, you need to consider its various properties such as corrosion resistance, thickness tolerance levels, and surface finishes. In most cases, your needs dictate your choice will but talking to a metallurgy expert or metal dealer is essential to reduce repair costs in appliances made of metal sheets. Other minor issues such as flaking, fluting and rusting, and coil's identification number also need careful scrutiny. If you want quality product lines, then metal sheets are the way to go.
Sheet Metal Forming
Fundamentals of Sheet Metal
Sheet metal is simply any piece of metal that is cut and shaped into thin and flat pieces and later forged into a variety of designs through fabrication. For ease of transportation, metal workers use a roll slitter to create rolled sheets. Different industries require varying thickness for sheet metal. For instance, thick gauge, 6mm form plates, are used for heavy duty applications such as ship building while very thin pieces, which are know as foils, are used as food packaging material. A gauge is the unit of thickness used for sheets and ranges from 30 to 8 with a larger gauge number used for thinner sheets. Measurement, however, varies between ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as copper which uses Ounces for measurement. Although sheet fabrication techniques have advanced over the years to include laser cutting, ductility technique still remains at the heart of sheet fabrication.
Common Materials used in Making Sheet Metal
sheet metal work
Aluminum
In its pure form, it is soft with poor strength properties. Alloy formation creates two broad aluminum sheet categories namely; heat-treatable when aluminum, silicon, copper, zinc and magnesium form an alloy. Non-heat-treatable aluminum combines with magnesium, silicon, iron and manganese. Four grades produced from these alloys are Grades 1100-H14 (QQ-A-250/1d), 3003-H14 (QQ-A-250/2c), 5052-H32 (QQ-A-250/8d) and 6061-T6 (QQ-A-250/11d) each with a distinct alloy and strength.
Steel
It can be formed either by hot or cold rolling. There are various types of steel based on the carbon content present. Each type has got different characteristics and is used for a different purpose. Though hot rolling is less expensive, the surface slag created is unacceptable in most cases. Cold rolled steel has excellent surface, material consistency and accuracy in thickness. In addition, steel has easier resistance spot-welding than aluminum and lower cost per pound though corrosion protection might negate these benefits.
Stainless steel
This is an alloyed steel type that reduces the effects of corrosion by adding nonferrous alloys such as nickel which reduces iron exposure to the surface. Alloys created include 304, 316 and 410 each with different strength and corrosion resistance.
When buying sheet metal, you need to consider its various properties such as corrosion resistance, thickness tolerance levels, and surface finishes. In most cases, your needs dictate your choice will but talking to a metallurgy expert or metal dealer is essential to reduce repair costs in appliances made of metal sheets. Other minor issues such as flaking, fluting and rusting, and coil's identification number also need careful scrutiny. If you want quality product lines, then metal sheets are the way to go.
Sheet Metal Forming