An alloy is a metallic mixture combining two or more metal elements, like bronze (alloying of tin and copper), steel (alloying of iron and carbon) etc. The resulting material has different properties than the pure metals to ensure more strength and corrosion resistance.
If you’re wondering why alloys are so important, then let’s give you a brief idea. Alloys have a wide range of applications. From industrial to the military, medical, aircraft, vehicles, mobile phones, and many engineering equipment machines have extensive use of alloys metals.
For example, steel alloys are used from buildings to automobiles, whereas brass alloys (a combination of copper and zinc) are for coin or metallic instruments. Furthermore, who doesn’t know about gold alloys for making jewelry?
Though, selecting the right alloy is very important as it depends on the specific use or project. Therefore, due to alloy’s unique properties, manufacturers must consider some factors that fit the product’s quality, function, and application before manufacturing them.
However, the factors change according to the industrial requirement. So, as a manufacturer, you need to keep in mind which application you’re working for. This article will help you to understand the importance of choosing the right alloys for manufacturers.
Five Factors For Choosing The Right Alloys For Manufacturers
In order to choose the right alloy, you need to know to which condition the metal will be exposed. Additionally, it depends on the specific performance of the alloy. Not to mention, as a manufacturer, you’ve to produce something durable but cost-effective.
Here are five major factors for you while choosing the right alloy for an application.
1. Physical Properties Of Alloy
First and foremost, you should look at the physical properties of the alloy to fit the application. Different alloys operate under different substances like heat, water or corrosion. Hence, choose the alloy that has such resistance power.
• Corrosion Resistance: If the project or application is exposed to water, you should select an alloy with high corrosion resistance like a stainless steel or tin alloy. Otherwise, it won’t last long.
• Heat Resistance: Depending on the application, the material may expose to an extreme temperature that reduces its physical property. So, a manufacturer must produce a high heat resistive alloy. Like nickel-based alloys are used for power plants, aerospace fields etc., to operate in high and low temperature.
2. Mechanical Properties Of Alloy
The mechanical properties of alloy like hardness, strength, ductility and toughness vary depending on how the product has been used.
For example, tin ingots are made by smelting tin from its ore to make tin plates (steel sheet metals), mostly used for tin cans for food products, oil, painting etc. If you’re looking for the best quality tin sheet metal suppliers, Tin Ingots manufactures standard and custom tin materials.
3. Price
Furthermore, price is a crucial factor while discussing the importance of choosing the right alloys for manufacturers.
Some customers look for cheap raw alloy material where some want expensive with long life span. As different alloys are processed and operated differently. Hence, as a manufacturer, you shouldn’t ignore the price in the alloy selection process.
4. Custom Fabrication
Fabrication of alloys defines its structure by cutting, bending and forming it from the raw materials. Manufacturers should look into this matter as the wrong or semi-finished product can hinder the main application.
Therefore, processing and fabricating the alloy is important to create the correct final product.
5. Surface Properties and Surface Treatment
The metal surface treatment is where metal parts are ready for painting. This is basically called coating pretreatment. It provides a barrier to the metal from a corrosive environment. Hence, the proper surface treatment ensures the product’s longevity.
Moreover, you should look into other surface properties like abrasion and appearance. So, the alloy can be appropriate as per the customer’s specification. Let’s take an example of the surface treatment using tin.
Tin is an excellent material that gives an attractive shiny silver-white finish for technical or decorative purposes. Additionally, tin surfaces have not only a high-quality look but also high corrosion resistance, thick coating, good flexibility, good conductivity, good soldering and durable chemical property.
Further, it provides a barrier from water and oxygen to prevent rusting. These all make tin or tin alloys beneficial for the final finishing of the manufactured product.
Major Manufacturing Alloys Conclusion
Altogether, it’s vital to consider all five factors to choose the right alloys to manufacture. However, many manufacturers may give weight to the mechanical properties or fabrications only for the metals. But many metallic applications require higher service and protection against chemical and corrosive environments.
Moreover, choosing the right metal alloys all depends on the business need. No matter what the desirable property is, manufacturers tend to create alloys to ensure strength and toughness. Make the right choice with your manufacturing metals!
