Metals seem simple enough on the surface. We know they’re tough, conductive and, more specifically, we know things like ‘steel is a mix of iron and carbon’. But the details often go much deeper than this.

Metal grades are the ways we distinguish metals across industries, depending on the respective properties and quality of metals. These grades serve almost as a guidebook to manufacturers, helping them make the right selection. To help you understand them, we’ve created our own handy guide.

Steel

Remember what we said just about steel being an iron and carbon mix? Well, it’s not as simple as just slapping two elements together. Carbon steel, for example, is a sturdy and affordable choice, ideal for construction, tools and machinery.

However, we also have stainless steel grades, which find their value in their resistance to corrosion thanks to chromium. These, as you probably know, are common in food processing and kitchen equipment.

Then there’s alloy steel, which employs more complex alloys to bolster their strength and prevent them from being worn down – ideal for industries where products are exposed to the harshest conditions.

Anodising

Metal grades also extend into the process of anodising, where surfaces are treated with protective layers that can enhance strength or corrosion-resistance or simply provide some aesthetic appeal to a product. This is highly common with aluminium, although a range of metals can be utilised.

This process is highly versatile depending on the industry, and professional anodising companies, such as those from https://www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/anodising/, are able to recommend the best approach for your respective needs.

Notable Metals

Outside of steel and aluminium, plenty of other metals are weighed based on their grading. Copper is one such example, with its purity and conductivity making it an essential choice for electrical industries in wiring. They also form the copper-zinc alloy that is brass, which is prized for its golden appearance and resistance to corrosion.

Titanium and nickel also make the cut, with strength and temperature/corrosion resistance being the respective traits of each, and medical, aerospace and energy industries using them most.