Tips for Choosing the Right Material for Your Metal Fabrication
Posted on: 24 February 2021
Because metals react differently when subjected to different forms of manipulation such as bending, cutting, and heating, proper material selection is vitally important to ensuring the success of any metal fabrication project. But with the many different types of metals available for fabrication, you may struggle to choose the best one for your needs.
To help clients identify the most appropriate material for their project, metal fabricators consider several factors. Here's a look at some of the factors they typically think through.
How Strong the Fabricated Products Should Be
Different metal products are subjected to different forces. The right material for your metal fabrication project should be strong enough to withstand the tensile and compressive forces that it will experience throughout its lifespan. This consideration is particularly important when metal products are meant to experience significant forces.
The Environment in Which the Project Will Be Used
Metals react differently in different environments. This means that some metals hold up better than others in certain environments.
For example, aluminium makes for a great choice in humid or coastal environments because it readily reacts with the oxygen in the air to form an oxide layer around it. The oxide layer protects the underlying metal from further oxidation, which may cause corrosion of the metal.
The use of steel in such environments may be inappropriate due to the high risk of corrosion. The high iron content in steel makes it more susceptible to corrosion than aluminium.
How Easy It Is to Manipulate a Material
Owing to their different physical properties, some metals are generally easier to work with than others. The relative ease with which a material can be worked into the desired shapes and sizes is a factor that metal fabrication companies keep in mind when selecting a material for any project.
The Cost of the Material
When making bids for new projects, metal fabricators often consider their clients' budgets. In situations where a variety of metals can be used, the selected material should match the clients' project specifications and budget range.
Choosing the right material for your metal fabrication project can be a confusing task if you don't know what goes into achieving quality metal fabrication. The good news is that there are several metal fabrication firms out there that can explain your material options to you and help you choose the right one. All you have to do is to give them a call to discuss your project. Contact a metal fabrication service to learn more.
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