3 Interesting Facts About Sheet Metal

Wednesday, June 16th, 2021
Man using angle grinder

Most people take sheet metal for granted because they don’t realize how many items in our homes, businesses, and shops are made through sheet metal fabrication. There are more everyday items created by metalworking and fabrication than you might think.

The history of sheet metal

The sheet metal fabrication process goes back thousands of years, and has changed a lot since then. Research shows that the use of sheet metal began somewhere between 5,000 and 4,000 BC. Back then, people used stone to shape metal. For example, sheets of metal were used to create armor so that men were safe at war. Today, we have machines and technology that make the process much easier.

Multiple technologies were developed from sheet metal fabrication. Over time, the world saw many innovations like the press breaks, the assembly line, and eventually the hydraulic press.

What is sheet metal made of?

During the sheet metal fabrication process, different types of metal are often combined into one sheet. Metals that are used include brass, copper, aluminum, tin, nickel, steel, and zinc. Precious metals like gold and silver are sometimes used in sheet metal as well, but these are less common because of cost.

How to cut sheet metal

Sheet metal is usually durable, depending on the material, and can be used in several industries. Because it is so versatile, it can be bent or cut to suit specific needs. Different metals require different approaches when it comes to cutting. For thinner sheet metal, scissors called tin snips are used. Other methods of cutting include lasers, fire, and saws. Choosing the right cutting method is important so your sheet metal is still useful and not damaged.

Things made of Sheet Metal

Sheet metal can be used for many different things, whether it’s for industrial, commercial, or residential use. Industrial uses of sheet metal include parts for roadway construction, and aluminum for vehicles. Commercial uses of sheet metal could be parts for appliances, customized signs, or roofing materials. Residential uses of sheet metal are things like custom barbeque pits, DIY projects, and art sculptures are made with sheet metal.

Allen’s Tri-State Mechanical is a sheet metal supplier for the Amarillo and Tri-State area. We offer a large variety of sheet metal products and services for our customers. To learn more about our Sheet Metal Fabrication Services, call us at (806) 376-8345 today.