Choosing the correct sheet metal for your manufactured product can be confusing. Here are some things to look for when considering four of the most common types of sheet metal in the industry.

4 Major Types of Steel Sheet Metal & Their Uses

When choosing the correct Carbon Steel sheet metal (also known as “Mild Steel”) for your manufactured parts, there are several different types to pick from and a few basic questions that need to be answered before choosing the correct material:
1. Will your parts be cut on a laser, plasma or punched?
2. Will your parts be painted?
3. Will your finished parts be an indoor or outdoor part?
The answers to all of these questions are factors in choosing the right type of sheet metal for your project. Different sheet metals can be used in unique ways, and some are better for certain types of products than others. It’s important to know what you might require before deciding on one kind. Below are some of the common steel sheet metals used at Metaltech Products, Inc. for fabricated products:

GALVANNEALED STEEL SHEET METAL

What is Galvannealed Sheet Metal?

Galvannealed sheet is a carbon steel sheet coated with zinc on both sides using a continuous hot dip process. The zinc coating is harder than a regular galvanized coating and is more resistant to scratching and manufacturing damage. However, the harder coating of Galvannealed sheet is susceptible to powdering if the sheet is severely formed during fabrication.

When to Use Galvannealed Sheet

alvannealed sheet can be used when the part being manufactured will be painted and require additional corrosion resistance. Galvannealed sheets can be laser cut, punched, and formed with excellent results. The surface finish, adhesion, and paint quality often turns out the best with galvannealed material.

Galvannealed sheet metal is specifically designed to be used in the painted condition. When painted with properly selected primers and or paints, the combined paint/galvannealed coating offers excellent resistance to peeling and/or blistering. The corrosion resistance of the paint used is also improved with Galvannealed sheet (compared to conventional galvanized sheet).

HOT ROLLED SHEET METAL

What are Hot Rolled Sheets?

Hot rolled sheets are produced at elevated temperatures on rolling mills and generate a material that is resistant to work hardening. They also exhibit reduced levels of deformation from residual stress. Material rolled in the hot rolled condition can require more extensive leveling practices, such as temper passing or stretcher leveling downstream to eliminate coil memory. In addition, hot-rolling may leave surface imperfections such as scale or pits which require additional finishing for a smooth surface.

When to Utilize Hot Rolled Steel

Use hot rolled steel (HRS) when cost is more important than surface finish. Hot rolled sheet metal should be punched instead of cut on the laser, as the mill scale affects the quality of the cut. Hot rolled sheet can be formed easily; but, if painted, any mill scale or pits will show through the paint, resulting in a rough finish.

HOT ROLLED PICKLED AND OILED (HRPO) SHEET METAL

The Difference Between HRPO and Hot Rolled Sheets

Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled Sheet is composed of the same material as the Hot Roll Sheet above, but it goes through an additional process before it is uncoiled(,) flattened(,) and sheared to specific lengths. The Hot Roll material in HRPO sheet metal is uncoiled and  run through a pickling chemical bath that removes all the oxides from the surfaces. Then, it is oiled to prevent rusting and recoiling.

When is HRPO Used?

Use hot rolled pickled and oiled sheet metal for a product that will be painted but used primarily indoors. HRPO sheet is also used as a cost(-)saving alternative to Galvannealed sheet. HRPO sheet can be laser cut, punched, and formed with excellent results. The painted surface is typically very good with HRPO.

COLD ROLLED SHEET METAL

Use cold rolled sheet (CRS) to get better material strength with a good surface finish. Parts made from cold rolled sheet must be painted or otherwise protected immediately to prevent surface rust. Cold rolled sheet metal can be laser cut, punched, and formed with excellent results similarly to the HRPO sheet mentioned above. The surface finish of painted parts is usually very good with CRS.

When to Utilize Cold Rolled Sheets

These four different types of sheet metal are only a few of the materials used at Metaltech Products Inc. For more information about selecting or processing carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, copper, and aluminum, don’t hesitate to contact us by phone at: (417) 426-5577, or email us at: [email protected]. You can also contact us online at https://metaltech.us/contact-us/.

For further reading, we also recommend checking out the O’Neal Metals web page on metal types for even more sheet metal descriptions and information.

Black Sheet Metal
Black sheet is the products produced by the casting method. It takes its name from its color and its usage area is extremely wide due to the features it has. While it has advantages over similar products, it also has some disadvantages.
What is Black Sheet?
Black sheet is the name given to the flat steels produced by the subsequent rolling of the products produced by the casting method. Hot rolling is used in the production of mild steel models. That is, the steel is first heated to a point above its crystallization temperature. Then rolling is done using parallel rollers.
The easier shape of the heated steel is an important advantage at this point. Thanks to this advantage, productions can be made in accordance with the desired dimensions and thickness. However, it is of great importance that there are no delays at this stage of black sheet production. Because the sheet will start to shrink slightly when it starts to cool, and accordingly the shape will be more difficult to control. Therefore, in case of delay, it may not be possible to obtain the desired shape.
What are the Black Sheet Properties?
Mild steel has an unusual production process. Therefore, it has different properties. The remarkable features of this special product can be listed as follows:
• It is suitable for special production. Due to hot rolling, the desired dimensions can be produced.
• It is easily shaped.
• It is produced as a result of casting process.
• It has high strength strength.
• It is weldable.
• Its usage area is extremely wide because it can be welded and shaped easily.
Mild steel properties are generally as mentioned here. High strength strength and durability may differ depending on the thickness and shape of the product. Standards for the thickness of mild steel vary between 1.5 mm and 20 mm. Therefore, there are very thin options as well as very thick options.
Black Sheet Usage Areas
It would not be wrong to say that construction is one of the areas where black sheets are used the most. However, it is also used extensively in areas such as the production of construction equipment, shipbuilding and steel case production. Black sheet usage areas are generally as follows:
• Railway tracks
• Manufacture of shelves and durable goods
• White goods production
•    Automotive industry
• Construction and construction machinery manufacturing
• Steel case production
• Ship industry
• Construction and construction equipment production
• Construction applications in the construction industry
• Tanks produced for storage
Black Sheet Prices
Mild steel prices vary depending on the quality and other characteristics of the product. What is stated here is valid in almost every sector. Quality products are always more expensive. However, it should not be forgotten that besides quality, factors such as the thickness and dimensions of the product are also important.
As a company, we deliver products that comply with international quality standards, with the most reasonable price options. In addition, as a company, we have the ability to produce products with the thickness and dimensions you want. We can prepare all the sizes you want for you in a short time and we can deliver them to the points you want.
Is There a Difference Between Mild Steel and HRP?
There may be some similarities in the production of iron and steel products and in the properties of the products in question. There is such a similarity between mild steel and HRP. However, it would be wrong to say that the products in question are exactly the same.
Rolling is used in mild steel and HRP production. However, black sheets are first hot rolled after casting to the rectangular section. HRP is produced as a result of hot and cold rolling of cylindrical sheets. Therefore, the related products differ at this point.
DKP and mild steel differ similarly to the one here. Within this framework, determine the product you need correctly or contact us for detailed information.