5 Characteristics that Make Copper Sheet Metal Prime for Industrial Production
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When selecting the type of sheet metal that suits your purpose best, you have to consider the characteristics of the metal carefully. Sheet metal is one of the most important materials, and its application spreads across many industries such as aviation, manufacturing, mining, construction, farming, and shipping. The growth of the sheet metal market is expanding globally, and the growth is expected to continue rising at an average rate of 4.09% from 2018 to 2022.
Sheet metal is made from aluminum, copper and brass, stainless steel, titanium, nickel, and tin. Copper sheet metal is one of the most common types of metal used in electrical appliances, construction, and most domestic appliances. Before you go looking for copper sheet metal for sale, consider the following characteristics of copper that will guide you on its usage.
1. High Electrical Conductivity
For electrical manufacturers, what they need more than copper is high-quality copper. As such, copper sheet metal is usually in high demand among manufacturers of electrical equipment such as microchips, electromagnets, heat sinks, welding electrodes, and circuit boards. The manufacturers of these electrical products are the highest consumers of copper sheet metal for sale. The thermal conductivity of copper makes it one of the most useful materials in the manufacture of all high-end electronics.
2. Easily Recycled and Reused
Copper sheet metal is easily recycled without losing most of its quality. It is estimated that more than 40% of the new metal produced is recycled. For combined metals, copper is the highest percentage of material used. The fact that most of the copper used is recycled and reused makes copper sheet metal for sale more affordable as compared to the other types of metal.
3. High Resistance to Corrosion
Copper has the lowest reactivity rate. It does not react with water and acids, and copper oxide slows down its reaction with oxygen. The only other metals that have a slower reactivity rate than copper are precious metals. However, precious metals are too expensive to be utilized for industrial production. Gas and fuel companies, alongside electrical companies, are big buyers of copper sheet metal for sale. As copper does not react with water and acid, it makes copper sheet metal the go-to material for manufacturing conduit pipes, sewerage, and water pipes.
4. Copper is More Flexible
Copper sheet metal bends and stretches easily, making it suitable for industrial production. Therefore, copper sheet metal is used to manufacture equipment in all sizes and shapes. Additionally, because it is soft and malleable, it is easy to roll it into many different designs. This makes it applicable for decorative purposes besides its main industrial use.
5. Copper Impedes Growth of Bacteria
Since copper is biostatic, bacteria will not grow and multiply on it. As such, you will not see mold growing on copper metal sheets and on equipment made from copper. This quality makes copper sheet metal a useful material in the manufacture of marine hardware.
Copper sheet metal is one of the most useful material on the globe. From the fridge in your room to the computers in your workplace, copper sheet metal is utilized in their production. The demand for copper is high around the globe, and it helps that most of the used copper can be recycled and repurposed. Before buying copper sheet metal, you have to be clear of its use so that you utilize it optimally. It would be best if you also bought copper sheet metal from a trusted metal dealer or supplier so that you get the best quality.
Applications For Thin Aluminum Strips in the Automotive Industry
Leave a CommentAluminum plays a crucial role in the automotive industry. In fact, around $30 billion in revenue in the United States is generated from sheet metal alone. This metal along with other combined metals has a variety of applications for many components. Here are the main industrial applications for thin aluminum strips in the automotive industry.
Insulation
Aluminum thin sheet metal has barrier and heat reflective properties that are beneficial for the automotive industry. It’s corrosion-resistant and can be used in electrical cables to insulate against moisture. Aluminum can also act as an insulator against radio frequency and magnetic emissions with electrical cables. When used as a sheath for fiber optic cables, the thin aluminum strips use its electrical conductivity for integrity testing of cable links. It can also act as a firewall for vehicle doors to stop oxygen that can fan flames.
Heat Exchangers
Aluminum has gradually replaced copper and brass for the use of heat exchangers. This metal is lighter in weight, which can help reduce emissions from a car’s radiator and lowers fuel demands. A car with aluminum components can save 15% in fuel costs than one made from steel components. Standard air conditioning equipment also uses thin metal strips of aluminum for the finning in the heat exchanger. Being able to keep a car’s cooling systems running efficiently ensures the vehicle’s longevity, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.
Additional Automotive Applications
Aluminum is also used in various other automotive components such as catalytic converters and impact energy absorption structures. It is often used in the electric vehicle market because its light weight provides an increased driving range. Almost every part of an automobile can benefit from the properties that aluminum provides. Aluminum gives vehicles better handling, braking, and acceleration capabilities. It also allows manufacturers to mold the vehicle in any shape they choose for maximum performance
The potential use for thin aluminum strips in the automotive industry is endless. New uses are being discovered every day to help make cars safer and more efficient. To find out more on how aluminum can be used in the automotive industry, contact Thin Metal Sales today!