If you need steel fabrication in Phoenix, AZ, you need to understand the types of steel available to you. This will help you assess quality and determine whether the material works with your ideas. Metal Pro Inc. is a full-service fabrication firm, and we build staircases, railings, sculptures and signs. We understand that every project is unique and never take a one-size-fits-all approach to materials. Here are the types of steel and how they work in manufacturing and construction efforts:
- Material steel: Material steel is a general purpose steel that is most frequently used in the manufacturing sector. It is easily manipulated, and heat treating changes it to meet expectations for a product. Steel alloys with copper and titanium are also considered material steel. “Plain steels” describe material made from iron and carbon and could be considered “pure” steels. “Alloys” include carbon, iron and one other metal. While material steel is often hardy, it is not graded for structural applications. Material steel is rated on its type and strength. For example, ASE 1040 is a plain steel with 40 carbon points, which makes it ideal for machine parts.
- Tool steel: This is a specialized category used primarily for instruments and tools—just as you would expect from its name. It is classified differently from material steel because its quality is based on different elements. The ratings reveal how the steel was heat treated and guides professionals to assess it based on shock resistance, air hardening and other categories that may be relevant to the end product. The preferences for tool steel vary by industry, so there is not an ideal type that works well for all purposes. Due to its limited purpose, you will likely not see this type used in construction.
- Structural steel: We use structural steel the most frequently at our fabrication firm. There are four types of structural steel, including carbon steels, high strength low alloys, corrosion resistance low alloys and quench and tempered alloys. Carbon steel becomes shapes, plate, pipe and tubing. High strength low alloy steel does everything that carbon steel can do, but also includes W or S-I beams along with more intricate shapes. Corrosion resistant types work well in outdoor projects, and the quenched and tempered alloy steels create structural plates, boilers, pressure vessels and even aerospace items. Structural steel stands out due to its compressive strength in addition to tensile strength.
There are advantages to building with steel, including fire and mold resistance. It has a high degree of constructability, which is why our gallery features many unique projects. We offer all the capabilities of a full-service fabrication firm, including angle, plate and bar, beam and tee rolling. Plasma cutting for more intricate projects is also available. If you can imagine it, chances are, we can build it!
For steel fabrication in Phoenix, AZ, contact Metal Pro Inc. and see what we can accomplish for you. We strive for exceptional results and quality that is not matched by other shops.