Many people have heard of sheet metal, but few people have a real understanding of what sheet metal is, how it is graded, and the numerous applications that it can be used for. Choosing the proper metal for the task at hand can be difficult, there are factors that need to be considered to choose the right metal for the job. If you are looking for steel metal suppliers in Louisville, you may want to take a few minutes to understand the product before you buy.
Sheet metal is any metal that has been formed into a thin, flat piece through a manufacturing process. Many types of metal can be made into sheet metal. Aluminum, steel, tin, brass, copper, nickel and even titanium are some common sheet metal materials. It can range in thickness from very thin, which would be referred to as leaf, or foil, to thicker pieces that are called plate metal. Plate metal pieces are usually thicker than 6mm. The proper thickness for an application is going to depend on what type of metal is used and what kind of job it is expected to do. For example, a job where the metal needs to bear a lot of weight would be suitable for plate steel.
Most sheet metal is going to range between 30 and 8 gauge, and the larger the gauge number, the thinner the sheet metal is. So a sheet of 30 gauge sheet metal is going to be a lot thinner than a sheet of 8 gauge sheet metal. Ferrous or iron based metals are measured differently than nonferrous metals such as copper or aluminum. Nonferrous metal thickness is measured in ounces and that measurement represents one ounce of the material rolled out to a 1 square foot area.
If you are looking for steel metal suppliers in Louisville consider calling a knowledgeable and reputable company like American Metal Supply Co. They can help you determine the proper type and gauge of metal needed for your job and help ensure that the metal you buy will perform the way you need it to.
