Everything You Need to Know About Metal Alloys 101
Understanding the Precision Manufacturing Process with Sawyer Fabrication –
At Sawyer Fabrication, we pride ourselves on providing precision, efficiency and expertise in all things related to the world of metal manufacturing. Of course, the quality of any custom fabrication relies upon both metalworking knowledge and craftsmanship.
Perhaps the most important field of knowledge for a premium metal shop to possess is expertise in the properties of metal alloys – both in terms of efficient manufacturability and post-production performance.
What Exactly Is a Metal “Alloy”?
An “alloy” is a sort of metal cocktail, a precision mixture of different metals and elements that are engineered to take on new properties. These properties are aimed to optimized the material’s cost and manufacturability as well as enhance its durability and other performance properties.
The Benefits of Metal Alloys
The two primary benefits of mixed metal alloys is that they reduce your material production costs and/or strengthen the working metal for higher-quality finished products. At the same time, the desirable properties of the base metal are maintained so that quality and longevity are uncompromised.
As one example, iron is a relatively strong metal that offers great durability. However, iron combined with carbon forms steel. As any premium metal fabricator knows, steel is substantially lighter than iron, drastically reducing material handling and shipping costs, while at the same time more durable and generally less susceptible to corrosion.
Aluminum Alloys 101
Aluminum is the primary base metal in all aluminum alloy materials. The aluminum is combined with zinc, copper, magnesium or other metals to improve its weight, strength and workability depending on the application. Its versatility combined with its high strength-to-weight ratio make aluminum one of the most commonly used and desirable manufacturing materials in the industry.
Brass
Brass is an alloy created from combining copper with zinc. It is a widely used material in the manufacturing of fasteners such as nuts and bolts, as well as hardware for a multitude of commercial and industrial products.
Bronze
Bronze is an alloy of copper that is desired for its tough, hard-wearing surface properties. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of products that are constantly subjected to wear and tear of various degrees, from coins and cutting blades to aerospace turbine blades. of coins, blades, and turbines.
TIG Welding Stainless Steel 
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a mixture of conventional steel (an alloy of iron and carbon) combined with chromium, aluminum or other premium metallic elements. The result is an extremely strong, highly corrosion-resistant alloy. When it is mixed with chromium, stainless steel is extremely resistant to rust and corrosion. Stainless steel is available in many different grades making it suitable for a variety of precision metal products, from surgical instruments and cutting-edge industrial tools and equipment.
Titanium
Titanium is an extremely lightweight and strong metal that resists virtually all forms of corrosion, making it one of the most desirable alloys utilized in the modern manufacturing world. To put its properties into perspective, titanium is virtually as durable as steel, roughly twice the strength of aluminum, while also being corrosion-resistant as platinum.
Sawyer Fabrication Is Your Single-Source for Premium Metal Alloy Manufacturing
From the engineering and design stage to precision machining and fabrication, Sawyer is your one-stop shop for premium metalworking solutions. Get in touch with our experts to discuss the most optimized metal alloy solution for your custom-fabricated components.
Sawyer Fabrication’s team of skilled craftsmen are experienced with a wide variety of these steel types and can customize any project you have in mind. Contact us today to find out more.
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