Choosing the right metal for your next project can seem overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for — but it does not have to be. With a bit of research and planning, you can find the right type of metal to fit your project’s needs. To help you determine your needs, this centerless ground bar supplier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is going to explain some of the key things you should consider when choosing the ideal metal for your next project.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength describes how much force a metal can take before it snaps. This is a major consideration for any project that may be subjected to substantial forces.

It is important to determine the right balance between high strength and low weight. The density of metal is vital to consider because it will affect the material’s tensile strength. For example, lightweight aluminum can be brittle, while denser steel will be much more robust and heavier.

To help you decide you can consider factors like cost, availability, melting temperature, or purity levels. Aluminum is often used in place of steel because it is lightweight, but it does not have as high a tensile strength as steel does.

Weldability

Do you need to weld your metals together? If so, you should speak with your centerless ground bar supplier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to determine how easy it is to weld with a particular metal.

Some round ground metals are easier to weld than others. Ones that are easier to weld don’t require a lot of preparation and know-how from the welder. Materials that are difficult to weld generally require more skills and advanced processes that make welding more complicated. When you choose a difficult material, your fabrication time may increase, and create a higher cost.

Machinability

The machinability of a metal describes how easy it is to cut using a blade. Certain metals that are highly machinable can be worked quickly and affordably with low-cost, rotating cutting tools. Round ground metals with more difficult machinability typically require expensive, highly specialized tools, which can stretch out your project’s timeline and increase costs.

While machinability describes how easily a metal can be cut, other factors affect how much time and money you will spend cutting it. The most important of these is hardness. A hard metal like tool steel can take longer for your centerless ground bar supplier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to machine than softer, more malleable metals like copper. But harder metals are also less likely to crack or break under stress, making them excellent choices for precision work in industries like aerospace and military.

Ductility and Formability

Depending on the ductility and formability of the grade of material, the metal can change shapes in the metalworking process. A metal with low ductility and formability can be relatively difficult to produce as wire, and round ground metals with low ductility and formability are more susceptible to cracking. 

A metal with very high ductility and formability is malleable enough to be machined into a variety of desired shapes by your centerless ground bar supplier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania without cracking. A metal with high ductility and formability will be able to maintain its shape during shaping, for example  round wire can be easily bent into a square, circle, or other geometric shapes.

Looking for a Centerless Ground Bar Supplier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

There are many different types of metal out there, each with its own properties and applications. It’s important to have a clear idea of what you need before starting your manufacturing project. Not exactly sure what you need? If you would like to discuss your options with a knowledgeable centerless ground bar supplier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Banner Commercial is here to help.

As a leading precision and centerless ground bar supplier, we maintain a large inventory of various metal grades and sizes, and we also have the machining capability needed to accommodate custom orders. Contact us today at (800) 323-9732 to request a free quote on your materials.