If you were asked the definition of a non-ferrous metal, the answer may seem obvious: it’s a metal which contains no iron. And while that’s true, it might surprise you that the answer is not entirely correct! Non-ferrous metal is a sprawling category, which covers iron-free metals such as aluminum or copper. But a metal … Continue reading What is a Non-Ferrous Metal?
A36 Steel: A Grade Guide
The global market for structural steel is enormous, valued at 100 billion dollars USD yearly. It’s easy to see why steel is such an appealing choice for construction due to its qualities: high strength, toughness, formability and ease in welding. And among the many types of structural steels, grade A36 stands above the crowd. Key … Continue reading A36 Steel: A Grade Guide
The Stages of Metal Fatigue
It’s well known that the long term consequences of living under chronic stress are harsh, taking a toll on our health and overall well-being. When it comes to the harmful effects of stress, metal is no different: too much repeated wear and tension will lead to fatigue, and eventually to a breaking point. And much … Continue reading The Stages of Metal Fatigue
What is Normalizing?
After going through a hardening process, the end results is a much harder steel. Yet this does come at a cost, since the gain in hardness is accompanied by decreased ductility. Ductility is a measure of a metal’s ability to withstand tensile stress, which is any force that pulls the two ends of an object … Continue reading What is Normalizing?
Common Metals That Don’t Rust
When it comes to protecting and maintaining metal, the most constant battle encountered will be against rust. Rust compromises a metal’s chemical characteristics, eventually leading to its disintegration. And even if it doesn’t progress to a destructive point, it’s just not very appealing on an aesthetic level. The distinctive orange-brown of rust forming on metal … Continue reading Common Metals That Don’t Rust
What is Metal Pickling and Oiling?
A spool of steel coil is an impressive sight: thousands of pounds of material, having been forced through immense pressure to form smooth, thin, gleaming metal. But this is the end product ready for sale, after the finishing process. Upon being freshly rolled, you may be surprised to find the steel’s appearance to be much … Continue reading What is Metal Pickling and Oiling?
How to Prevent Rust
We’ve all seen rust, whether it’s the dirty-orange flaking off a fence or swing set and marking up your children’s clothes, to the brownish water flowing in houses with old plumbing. But rust isn’t just an annoyance with its unsightly appearance and tendency to stain. For iron equipment and structures, rust can become a real … Continue reading How to Prevent Rust
What is a Ferrous Metal?
When classifying metals, focusing on a particular property is most often used as a way to divide them into two groups. Is this metal ductile or non-ductile? Is it magnetic or not? When it comes to ferrous metals, one basic quality determines the groups: whether the metal contains iron. If iron makes up a large … Continue reading What is a Ferrous Metal?
Metal Aging through Precipitation Hardening
When it comes to metal aging, the simplest way to understand the process is in terms of heat. In general, if a metal has the ability to withstand high temperatures during heat treatment, then it can be aged. For alloys containing aluminum, copper, magnesium or nickel, aging is the principal method of strengthening the finished … Continue reading Metal Aging through Precipitation Hardening
The Aluminum Extrusion Process
What is extrusion? Extrusion is the process of shaping material during manufacture. Generally, this is done by forcing a block of metal, called a billet, through a shaped die. Think of it like a frosting tip: whatever is squeezed out appears with the specific design you selected. How is aluminum extruded? For aluminum, the two … Continue reading The Aluminum Extrusion Process