Metal is often synonymous with industry, as it’s one of the first things that come to mind when people think of the word “industrial.” This is because various metals are true workhorses when it comes to industrial structures, containers, and systems like electrical and plumbing. To meet the demands of these projects, however, requires high-quality industrial metal finishing.
At Polished Metals, we’re a global leader in this space, with the experience, skill, and attention to detail needed to produce superior finished metals to meet rigorous demands. In today’s post, we’re sharing all you need to know about the industrial metal finishing space, including what types of projects this entails, what demands are unique to these projects, and what metals are best suited for industrial use cases.
Industrial Metal Finishing: Common Projects
“Industrial” is a fairly general term, and indeed industrial metal finishing covers a wide range of projects and use cases. In general, however, projects that use industrial metals can be broken down into a range of categories that all share a common theme: working with raw materials and producing goods.
Industrial metals, therefore, are used to facilitate these types of projects. Industrial metals may be used for construction, where strength is paramount; they may be used for shipbuilding, where resistance to corrosion from marine environments is crucial; or they may be used for storage of various goods or chemicals, meaning the metals in question often must meet rigorous standards for safety.
Demands of Industrial Metal Finishing
Success in the industrial metal finishing space requires a company to be able to operate under fairly demanding circumstances. While the specific demands of each project will vary, most will feature the following elements:
High Volume
Industrial projects tend to be large. Industrial metal finishing requires a capacity for processing high-volume orders and maintaining consistent quality from the first piece of metal to the last.
Rigorous Specifications
While metal polishing should always be done with precision, industrial projects often require even more stringent adherence to specifications. This is especially true for projects that must meet food safety standards or for metal products that will be used in highly precise equipment or machinery.
Tight Timelines
All of the above must be met while maintaining timelines, as industrial project often revolve around crucial products used for infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, and more.
What Metals Are Used in Industrial Projects?
Several types of metal are commonly employed in industrial settings. Because industrial use cases vary widely, the types of metals best suited for a given industry also differ from industry to industry or even company to company. Below are some of the most common industrial metals in use today.
Stainless Steel
Steel is the most commonly used metal in the world, and stainless steel is a particularly popular variant. Stainless steel features superior strength and corrosion resistance, making it one of the most durable metals available.
In addition, stainless steel is available in a wide variety of compositions. Among these, 304 stainless steel is the most common, while other types such as 316, 430, and 441 all see significant usage.
This metal is frequently used for cookware, in the automotive industry, and for storage of many food and chemical products.
Aluminum
What aluminum may lack in terms of sheer strength it more than makes up for in versatility. Aluminum is frequently used in industries where properties such as malleability, weight, and conductivity are of high importance.
As a lightweight, pliable, and highly conductive material, aluminum is commonly used in electronics and industries with demanding specifications, such as aerospace manufacturing. It also boasts impressive strength and corrosion resistance for its weight, making it a popular choice for roofing as well.
Copper & Alloys
Copper is surprisingly common across a wide range of industries. Its conductivity is particularly unique, as well as its overall resistance to corrosion. It is commonly used in the manufacture of electronics (particularly for wiring), cookware, and indoor plumbing components.
In addition, alloys like bronze, brass, Muntz, and architectural bronze all see frequent use in industrial applications. Copper alloys perform exceptionally well in marine environments and other settings where corrosion resistance is critical.
Request a Quote for Industrial Metal Finishing Services
Because industrial metal finishing projects are so demanding, it’s essential to work with a company that has a demonstrated track record of success in this space. Polished Metals is a global leader in metal polishing, and we’re renowned for our superior quality in delivering reliable industrial metal finishing services with precision and timeliness.
If you’re planning an industrial project that requires unparalleled craftsmanship and quality, reach out to our team today to request a quote.