Among the metal products, a thin metal sheet is quite popular in the construction industry. Its application is very diverse, and in each case there are its own technological features.
What is a metal sheet?
Sheet metal is made of carbon steel. The thickness of the sheets can be from 0.4 mm. This is a very thin rental, used in special high-tech works. Modern production technologies and improved chemical composition ensure high quality products. The flawless surface that thin metal sheets have does not need additional processing before applying the paintwork, which saves time during the work.
Sheet metal production
Metal sheets are produced by cold or hot rolling. In the hot rolled process, low alloy and carbon steel are used. In this case, a perfectly flat surface is not obtained due to its uneven cooling. These thin metal sheets are used for the manufacture of household appliances, cases, aircraft, in construction and engineering.
The cold rolled method involves the use of hot rolled billets of carbon and low carbon steel. After undergoing additional processing to remove scale, the sheet is cold rolled. The result is a thinner metal sheet with high surface quality, a tolerance in thickness of not more than ± 0.01 mm and improved technological properties. It is used in the future for the manufacture of various machines and mechanisms. In any case, the use of specialized equipment is required for the production of sheet metal.
Sheet Metal Properties
Hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheets differ in their properties. These features are taken into account when using this building material. The hot-rolled sheet has increased rigidity, so it is practically impossible to stamp and mint. Welding such a sheet can lead to its temperature deformation.
The popularity used by a thin metal sheet is explained by the presence of a large number of positive characteristics, such as reliability, versatility, strength, durability, ease of installation, etc. In the manufacture of technology, construction and the medical industry, galvanized sheet (coated with one or both sides with zinc). The surface of such a sheet with high-quality galvanizing is very clean, smooth, without the slightest cracks.
Application
Sheet metal is used in a wide variety of industries. It is almost impossible to name an area where a thin metal sheet would not be in demand. This includes the construction of fences, roofs, and wall cladding, the manufacture of stairs and metal structures. Used sheet metal for the manufacture of refrigerators, various containers, drainpipes. Recently, this material has been in great demand for decorating summer cottages. It is impossible to imagine the creation of cars, planes and other equipment without it.
A thin metal sheet with a wavy surface, the so-called profiled, or corrugated, is used for roofing, the manufacture of fences. It is made of
galvanized steel. Waves can have a variety of shapes - rounded, trapezoidal and others, also differ in height and width. Flat products also serve as raw materials for the production of other building materials (corrugated board, metal tile, etc.).
A very thin metal sheet is called foil. In radio engineering, copper foil has been used as a packaging for confectionery products, aluminum - for packaging tea. Its thickness is not more than 0.2 mm.
How to measure sheet thickness?
Measuring the thickness of a metal sheet using a ruler, tape measure or vernier caliper will not allow you to do this with all accuracy. With their help, you can get only approximate values. Calipers are measured only along the edge of the sheet, the thickness of which over the entire area may vary, especially when it comes to substandard. In order to accurately measure a thin metal sheet, you need to use a special tool called a “plate meter”.
Sheet Metal Processing Methods
In the manufacture of a product of a certain configuration, it is necessary to carry out appropriate processing of the sheet profile. As a result, the appearance of the material and its quality should not be affected. There are several different processing steps that are used to process a thin metal sheet. This is welding, cutting, bending, etc.
The most common processing method is bending. It is performed when stretching and compressing the outer layer. It can be manual when tools such as a hammer, pliers, vise are used, or mechanical, performed on modern equipment. Manual bending - the process is quite laborious, therefore, it is performed only for bending thin metal sheets with a thickness of not more than 0.6 mm.
Welding is used when there are no special requirements for the appearance of the product. A metal sheet with a thickness of less than 3 mm can be easily melted, resulting in holes that are very difficult to weld. For welding sheets up to 2 mm thick, direct current is used. In the case when it is required to brew a thinner metal, small currents and electrodes of smaller diameter are used.
The assortment of metal sheets in the construction market is quite large, which allows you to choose the material that is most suitable for the task.