Categories: Technology

Five Types of Commercial Metal Usage

Metal is perhaps one of the most used products in construction, but it is also used on a regular basis in other industries. Aluminum is likely the most common form of metal used and is often used in the form of sheet metal.

Aluminium is incredibly useful for many reasons, including the fact that it is resistant to corrosion, incredibly easy to work with, and has a high thermal resistance, among other desirable qualities. If you are curious to know what metal is used for specifically, keep reading.

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1. Usage In Construction

As mentioned previously, metal is most often used in the construction industry. This is due to the fact that metal is highly resistant and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.

As a result, it can be used to build things like railings and doors and can even be used for roofing. Sheet metal is also incredibly malleable, which makes for the perfect building material. Aside from the fact that it is easy to work with, metal is also cost-effective, so it will not take too much from your budget, and you can use as much of it as you need.

2. Air Conditioning

Another way in which metal is used is in the manufacturing of air conditioners. Typically, aluminum pipes and tubing are useful in air conditioners because they have the ability to withstand high temperatures without any damage.

Aside from aluminum, other forms of metal that are used in air conditioning and HVAC systems include copper and steel, which are also good at transferring heat. When dealing with heating and air conditioning, you want to ensure that the materials used to make the units are going to be durable and can withstand extreme temperature changes.

3. Power Lines

Metal is also often used in power lines because it is a highly conductive material. Typically, copper is used; however, aluminum is the best choice when it comes to long-distance power lines.

This is because, aside from being highly conductive, aluminum is also lightweight, so there is less risk of the power lines snapping. Aluminium is also more cost-efficient, and since so much of the material is needed for power lines, aluminum tends to be the best choice.

4. Food Service

Typically, when you think of cooking, you think of metal pots and pans and even metal utensils. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that metals are highly used throughout the food service industry—specifically stainless steel and aluminum. This is because these metals are safe to use around food while also being low cost and low weight.

Because these metals are resistant to corrosion, they are also ideal for storing liquids. Stainless steel is also resistant to scratches, which is a good thing as pots and pans get tossed around the kitchen, or different utensils, such as knives, are constantly coming into contact with them. Pots and pans can be pricey, so you want to ensure that they are made of durable materials.

5. Sign Poles

Metals also come in handy when making sign poles or poles that hold up lighting. Sign poles and even parking lot and street lights need to be made of a durable and strong material because what they hold up is usually extremely heavy.

These poles also need to be resistant to different environmental factors, such as strong winds and heavy downpours. Even the signs themselves tend to be made from aluminum or some other form of durable and corrosion-free metal.