Selecting the correct metals thickness is an necessary step in the metal fabrication processes. The thickness of the metal will impact how the metal perform in the project. If the thickness of the metal that is selected are too thin for the project, the metal may bend under the load that is placed upon it.
If the thickness of the metal that is selected is too thick for the project, it may be more difficultly to form the metal and it may require more expensive cutting tool to form. Thus, it is necessary for those who performs metal fabrication to understand how to measure the thickness of metal so that they can choose the correct thickness for the metal for which they are fabricating. One of the method for measuring metal thickness is the gauge system.
How to Choose the Right Metal Thickness
The gauge system work in a way that is counter-intuitive to most individuals who is first exposed to this system. A higher gauge number indicate that the metal is thinner, while a lower gauge number indicate that the metal is thicker. Thus, individuals may initially think that a higher gauge number indicate that the metal is thicker than metal with a lower gauge number.
However, as with most things in life, higher numbers do not equal thicker metal with the gauge system; instead, the thickness of metal decrease as the gauge numbers increases. A gauge chart can be consulted to determine how gauge number relate to thickness. The thickness of metal that is fabricated will vary according to the type of fabrication task that are to be performed.
Items that are to bear heavy load will require metal that is thick to provide the necessary strength to bear those loads. Items that are not heavy or that are to be bent will require thinner metal because it is easier to bend thin metal than it is to bend thick metal. The tools that is used in the fabrication process will also relate to the thickness of the metal that is to be fabricated.
Thick metal require tools that can provide heavy force to cut or bend the metal. Thin metal will not require as much force to bend or cut. Thus, if a person attempted to cut thin metal with light tools, the tools will eventually become dull.
The same concept apply to heavy tools used upon thin metal. The welding procedure that are used will relate to the thickness of the metal that is to be welded. Thin metal will heat up very quick when being welded.
Thus, thin metal will require lower amperage to weld metal to metal. Thick metal will allow for more heat to be applied during the welding process. However, the thick metal will require that the metal be prepared in such a way that the weld will fully fuse with the thick metal.
Additionally, the size of the rivets that is used in the metal will relate to the thickness of the metal. If the rivet is too small for the thickness of the metal, it will pull through the metal. If the rivet is too large for the metal, it may create bulk within the metal that may not be desired.
The type of finish that is provided to the metal is a separate factor from the thickness of the metal. However, the type of metal finish will impact in what type of projects the metal is used. For instance, hot rolled metal contain mill scale on the metals surface.
The mill scale must be removed before painting or welding the metal. Cold rolled metal will have a smoother surface then hot rolled metal. Thus, it is often used in projects where the appearance of the metal is important.
Finally, galvanized metal will have a coating that protect it from corrosion. This type of metal is often used in projects where the metal will be in contact with damp environment. Another factor to consider in the fabrication of metal is the weight of the metal.
The weight of the metal will relate to both the thickness of the metal and the area of the metal that is to be fabricated. A sheet of metal that is seven gauge will be heavier than a sheet of metal that is twenty-six gauge. The weight of the metal is another factor in the fabrication process.
For instance, if the fabricated metal is to be shipped in freight, then the load that must be consider is the weight of the metal. Thus, calculating the weight of the metal is important. A chart that list the weight of metal based off the thickness of the metal can be used to determine the weight of the metal without having to manual weigh the metal.
The thickness of the metal that is fabricated should be chosen based upon the requirements of the project. Chosing metal that is too thick for the metal project will make the fabrication process more difficultly. Chosing metal that is too thin may not meet the strength requirements of the project.
Thus, it is best for the metal fabricator to choose a metal thickness that provide enough strength and durability for the project, but which is also easily fabricated using the tools available to the metal fabricator.
