Ever since the late 18th century, sheet metal has been used in shipyards, construction and manufacturing. Today, it is ubiquitous, found in domestic appliances and the smallest of electrical and medical components.
After a sharp price spike in 2022, the cost of sheet metal has fallen, which makes life easier for construction and manufacturing companies that have seen many other material costs rise.
In the UK, there are over a thousand sheet metal fabrication companies like https://dkmsheetmetal.co.uk/ currently serving the market. Here are a few of the basic facts about sheet metal.
What is Sheet Metal?
Sheet metal is a flat piece of metal with a width much greater than its thickness, the thinnest being less than three 3 millimetres. Heavier, thicker sheets are commonly fabricated through hot-rolling and have a rougher surface with a protective layer. Cold-rolled sheets are generally thinner, with finer finishes and tight tolerances, often pickled and oiled for enhanced resistance to corrosion.
Standard Formats
Sheet metal is usually packed and transported in coils or blanks. Coils, which can weigh up to 30 tonnes, are ideal for bulk carriage but must be uncoiled and straightened before use. Blanks, or pre-cut sheets, come in standard sizes such as 1000×2000?mm, 1250×2500?mm, or 1500×3000?mm. Larger formats can be made for special applications.
Common Sheet Materials
Almost any metal can be made into sheet form, but the most common are steel, stainless steel, aluminium and copper are the most common. Properties like strength and corrosion resistance are often adjusted by the addition of alloying elements within the base material.
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