When starting a fabrication project, you must first determine the best materials for the job. When dealing with metal, there are so many options to choose from that it can be hard to find exactly what you want. Selecting the right material for your fabrication project is an essential step before committing to any work. Know what’s available to you and how they can benefit your metalworking processes.



Steel

Many fabricators turn to steel for most of their needs. It is a great all-purpose metal for construction and other fields. The reason behind steel’s ubiquity is that it is an exceptionally durable material and comes at a relatively cheap price point.

Steel also provides fabricators with a great deal of versatility and mailability, allowing professionals to shape it into many different shapes for different applications.

Stainless Steel

While many factors contribute to pricing, generally speaking, stainless steel is more expensive than steel. But with this increase in price comes a few benefits.

The primary reason fabricators may go with stainless steel is that it provides excellent resistance to corrosion, resulting in decreased maintenance costs in the long term. Stainless steel also offers an appealing shine, making it an aesthetically pleasing material.

Copper

Like stainless steel, copper offers a great degree of corrosion resistance. It also has high thermal and electric conductivity. Copper is also a biostatic material, which means that it prevents organisms from attaching to the surface, such as bacteria and other germs.

The metal also comes with a significant amount of mailability, resulting in easy manipulation and forming, but at a cost. Copper is a weak metal and prone to damage. It’s not as durable as other metals like steel, which may discourage general use.

Brass

Just like copper, brass has excellent thermal resistance. But it also has the advantage of being cheaper than copper. Along with thermal durability, brass also has great electrical resistance, making it ideal for automotive use and as components for hardware tools.

Know What You Need for Your Fabrication

When dealing with a new project, be aware of the different metals for fabrication. It’s essential to know the different properties of the materials you work with so that you can create the best possible product. You may also consider partnering with a custom sheet metal fabrication supplier to streamline your processes. Getting extra help will take the stress off your employees and allow you to focus on the more critical aspects of business and fabrication.