It’s a no-brainer to use sturdy materials for your construction project. And one of the sturdiest construction materials out there is metal. In fact, picture a post-calamity scenario. The aftermath of a harsh storm has torn buildings apart, differentiating the strong from the weak structures. The vulnerable buildings are mainly made out of wood, and the strong are made with foundations of different metal types. Today’s construction projects have a metal foundation because it is durable, strong, and malleable enough to form structural components, pipework, cladding materials, and other components.
As said, there are a lot of metals, with different advantages, used in the construction industry. Other types of metals used may differ depending on the circumstances of your project. For instance, stainless steel is the perfect metal type to use if the part is being used where moisture is present because it prevents rust from corroding the material. There are advantages to each metal type, and read more below to know what metal you should choose for your project.
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Carbon steel
Carbon steel is a metal alloy, meaning that it is a mixture of carbon and iron to make it stronger and more durable. It is used to make beams for structural frameworks and plates for highway construction and bridges. Also, carbon steel is ideal for making rebar and hollow structural sections or HSS.
Carbon steel is a great material for a wide range of building uses and projects due to its strength and durability. It is also useful for structural framework, roofing, reinforcing bars, and other building tasks. This type of metal is used in infrastructure building for bridges, railways, tunnels, and water and gas pipelines, among other things.
Copper Tubing
Copper tubings are well known to be used in construction pipes on buildings because they are resistant to water and soil corrosion. They form strong bonds through the soldering process, which is ideal for piping and tubing.
Copper tubings come in two main types: rigid copper and soft copper. Rigid copper tubing is ideal for hot and cold tap water pipes in buildings. Soft copper is used in making refrigerant lines in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning or HVAC systems and heat pumps. Also, copper tubings are malleable and recyclable.
Aluminum
Aluminum is something you commonly see in hardware stores because it is one of the most used metals in the industry. They are usually processed into sheets, tubes, and castings used in HVAC ducts, roofs, walling, and handles. Its resistance to corrosion, high conductivity, and flexibility make it a viable option for parts exposed to harsh weather. The components include windows, doors, wires, outdoor signages, and street lights.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements, making it one of the most desirable metals for construction projects. The amounts can be adjusted to create different grades of stainless steel with different properties. Moreover, all types of stainless steel offer resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion and superior strength. Aside from the functional physical properties, stainless steel is malleable enough to mold parts in an aesthetic finish. These properties make stainless steel ideal for escalators, buildings, drainage components, bridge plates, fencing, etc.
Brass
Brass metals are highly resistant to corrosion from chemicals and water. This type of metal can be used exclusively for areas that need a decorative look because it has a gold-like finish that is aesthetically pleasing. Since brass is an alloy, its properties vary with the ratio of the metals mixed. In addition, brass 70/30 and 85/15 are some of the types of brass, and they are ideal materials used for plates and solder work.
Key Takeaway
There are various durable, reliable, flexible, and efficient metal types that you can use in your construction project. Also, given the variety of metal options today, you must know beforehand what kind of metal you must use. This will ensure the security and safety of your construction project.
