As published by Meta Fab in “Common Types of Sheet Metal,” Tony Varela outlines how material choice depends on the end use, including formability, weldability, corrosion resistance, strength, weight, and cost.

Common options include stainless steel (austenitic 300 series for corrosion resistance and formability, ferritic 400 series for magnetic, non-structural corrosion resistance, and martensitic grades that can be hardened by heat treatment), cold rolled steel for smoother finishes and tighter forming tolerances, and pre-plated steel like galvanized or galvanealed for added corrosion protection. Aluminum is highlighted for strength-to-weight and corrosion resistance, with examples such as 1100 for conductivity and corrosion resistance, 3003 for general use, 5052 for strength plus formability and weldability, and 6061 for structural parts. Copper and brass are noted for workability and corrosion behavior, including the protective patina formed by high-copper alloys.

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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of Meta Fab –https://www.metafab.com/