Metal Glossary

An alloy is a solid solution or homogeneous mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, which itself has metallic properties. It usually has different properties from those of its component elements. Alloying one metal with others often enhances its properties. For instance, steel products are stronger than iron, their primary element.

Next to steel, Aluminum products are the most commonly used and commercially available metals. Its light weight and high strength-to-weight ratio make it a good choice for everything from aircraft to flashlights to jigs to just about anything else you can make out of metal. Aluminum is produced in several heat temper grades including 6061-0, 6061-T4 and 6061-T6.

2024 is an aluminum alloy, with copper and magnesium as the alloying elements. It is used in applications requiring high strength to weight ratio, as well as good fatigue resistance. It is not weldable, and has average machinability.

3003 Aluminum is available in sheet (i.e. diamond tread plate).

5052 Aluminum is available in sheet. 5052 is the alloy most suited to forming operations, with good workability and higher strength than that of the 1100 or 3003 alloys that are commercially available. 5052 is not heat-treatable, but is stronger than most of the 5xxx series of alloys. It has very good corrosion resistance, and can be easily welded. 5052 is not a good choice for extensive machining operations, as it has only a fair machinability rating.

6061 Aluminum is Available in Angle, Channel, I-Beam, Pipe, Plate, Rectangle, Round, Sheet, Square, Tube. 6061 Aluminum is, by most any measure, the most commonly used aluminum alloy. It is specified in most any application due to its strength, heat treatability, comparatively easy machining, and weldability. It is also capable of being anodized. Main alloy ingredients: magnesium and silicon.

(see also architectural aluminum) Available in Angle, Channel, Rectangle Tube, Square Tube. 6063 is often called architectural aluminum for its smoother surface finish and roughly half the strength of 6061—suited where appearance matters more than strength. Rated “Good” for forming/cold work, “Excellent” for anodizing, and “Fair” for machining.

(see also 6063 aluminum) Available in Angle, Channel, Rectangle Tube, Square Tube. 6063 is often called architectural aluminum for its smooth finish and lower strength relative to 6061. Rated Good for forming/cold work, Excellent for anodizing, and Fair for machining.

(see also Cast Aluminum Tooling Plate, K100, MIC-6, Jig-plate) Cast tooling plate noted for very consistent mechanical/dimensional characteristics—chosen when flatness and dimensional control are critical. Outstanding machinability, excellent high-speed cutting rates, superior anodizing/hardening response, excellent weldability, and high strength-to-weight ratio.

(see also Steel, Hot Rolled Steel, Cold Rolled Steel) Hot rolled and cold rolled bar include: Round, Square, Hex, Flat, Strip.

(see also ATP-5, K100, MIC-6, Jig-plate) Cast tooling plate is highly versatile for manufacturing requiring flatness and dimensional control. Consistent properties, outstanding machinability and cutting rates, superior anodizing/hardening response, excellent weldability, and high strength-to-weight ratio.

41xx steel family (SAE). Alloyed with chromium and molybdenum—excellent strength-to-weight, easily welded, stronger and more durable than 1020 steel. Not stainless. Common uses: automotive/bicycle frames, roll cages, aircraft parts.

Rolled to final dimensions well below scaling temperatures → harder, stronger, tighter tolerances than hot rolled steel.

Drawn-over-mandrel: cold-drawn ERW tube with flash removed. Each tube tested for weld soundness. Preferred over seamless for excellent concentric OD/ID.

Mechanical property describing how much a material can plastically deform without fracture.

Zinc electroplating on steel for corrosion protection and an excellent finish for paint, enamel, and lacquer. Similar goal to hot-dip but with a thinner, smoother coating and superior appearance for close-fitting parts.

Hot-dipped zinc coating applied to steel. Thicker coating than electro-galvanized → better corrosion resistance, often preferred for outdoor applications.

(see also Jet-Coat, Paintlok) Hot-dip galvanizing followed by annealing gives a fine gray matte finish that acts like a primer. Coating doesn’t flake when formed; excellent paintability, weldability, corrosion resistance, and formability. Used widely in automotive, signage, and electrical equipment.

Capability of a metal alloy to be hardened by heat treatment (distinct from hardness). Important in welding and generally inversely related to weldability.

(see also Steel, Carbon Steel, Cold Rolled Steel) Steel rolled to final dimensions while hot enough to scale (≈>1700°F).

(see also Galvannealed, Paintlok) Common trade/style name for galvannealed steel sheet: matte, paint-ready finish that resists flaking during forming.

(see also Cast Aluminum Tooling Plate, ATP-5, K100, MIC-6) Cast tooling plate chosen for flatness and dimensional control with excellent machinability, cutting rates, weldability, and anodizing response.

(see also Cast Aluminum Tooling Plate, ATP-5, MIC-6, Jig-plate) Cast tooling plate with consistent properties; excellent machinability and anodizing/hardening response; good weldability.

Ease with which a metal can be machined to an acceptable surface finish. Good machinability = less power, faster cutting, good finish, and low tool wear.

(see also Cast Aluminum Tooling Plate, ATP-5, K100, Jig-plate) Cast tooling plate with consistent properties, excellent machinability and cutting rates, and excellent anodizing/weldability.

(see also Pickled & Oiled Steel) P & O stands for pickled and oiled: hot rolled steel is pickled in acid to remove mill scale and then oiled to keep it from rusting.

Ease with which a metal can be painted with an acceptable surface finish.

(see also Jet-Coat, Galvannealed) Trade name commonly used for galvannealed steel sheet—matte finish that takes paint well and resists flaking during forming.

(see also P & O Steel) Hot rolled steel that is pickled to remove scale and then oiled to inhibit rust.

In the U.S., “Schedule” refers to pipe wall thickness and thus pressure rating.

Term for the snowflake/star-like surface pattern visible on galvanized steel sheet.

Steel alloy with a minimum of ~10% chromium by mass. Forms a passive chromium-oxide film that resists corrosion better than carbon steel. Many grades and finishes suit different environments and uses.

Standard “18/8” austenitic grade; versatile, widely available, excellent forming and welding. Dominant for deep-drawn parts (sinks, hollow-ware).

Low-carbon 304; typically does not require post-weld annealing and is used for heavy-gauge components.

Molybdenum-bearing grade with better corrosion resistance than 304—especially pitting/crevice resistance in chlorides. Excellent forming/welding.

(see also Carbon Steel, Hot Rolled Steel, Cold Rolled Steel) Alloy of iron, carbon, and small amounts of other elements. Steelmaking removes impurities (slag) and adds alloying elements. Common alloys: 1018, 12L14, A-36, 304, A2, 4130.

Low-carbon steel with higher manganese content than typical low-carbon grades—better for carburized parts with harder, uniform case; good mechanical properties and machinability.

Lead-added, resulfurized/rephosphorized screw-machine stock. Great for heavily machined parts (bushings, inserts, couplings, hydraulic fittings). Suitable for bending, crimping, or riveting.

Common U.S. structural carbon steel. Readily welded by nearly all processes; commonly bolted and riveted in structural applications.

Steel for construction specified by shape and standards for composition/strength. Typical U.S. shapes: I-beam, Angle, Channel, Tee, Bar, Rod, Plate.

Heat-treatment technique to toughen metals by controlled reheating below the lower critical temperature. In steels, it reduces brittleness of martensite; in precipitation-hardening alloys it forms strengthening intermetallics.

Variety of carbon/alloy steels suited to tools due to hardness, abrasion resistance, ability to hold a cutting edge, and high-temperature strength. Grades vary by application and are generally used heat-treated.

Air-hardening tool steel with lower distortion vs. water quench; durable. Used for larger parts and blades.

Oil-hardening tool steel that can hone to a slightly sharper edge than A2; also selected where lower-distortion hardening is desired.

Deep-textured, 3-D metal sheet used for grip, durability, and moisture resistance; offers good weldability and machinability.

Pattern with five crisscrossed bars versus the single-bar diamond standard.

Same as Fire Truck Quality tread plate but with a modified button pattern that improves grip.

3003-H22 diamond pattern developed to improve brightness and button machining characteristics. Supplied in flat sheet form to ensure consistent button shape.

Ease with which a metal can be treated by a process or substance during processing (e.g., chemical treatment).

Used to transport fluids and gases in pneumatic, hydraulic, or process applications. Differs from pipe in that the outside diameter is controlled and used for designation.

Ability of a material to be welded while achieving the desired joint quality—key factor when choosing a welding process.