A Closer Look At Steel Sheets: Types, Uses, and Advantages

Steel has long been one of the most important materials in the world, and it makes up 99% of all metal consumption globally.

A wide range of industries use steel, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and construction. There’s a huge selection of parts available, and structural steel sheets are one of the most useful. There are different types and they serve a wide range of applications.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at steel sheets and how different industries use them. Keep reading for more.

What Are Steel Sheets?

Steel sheets are made by beating and flattening steel into thin parts. The thickness can vary depending on the type of steel and the rolling (flattening pressure).

Standard steel sheets typically range from 30 to 7 gauge, but custom sheets can be outside of this range. Note that the higher the gauge, the thinner the sheet. Sheets with a lower gauge are more durable.

They can be molded and cut to make different shapes and sizes, though bending them is often difficult. It’s possible to apply surface treatments to produce certain characteristics.

Types of Steel Sheets

If you need steel sheets, one of the first things you need to decide on is the type of steel. This can have a significant effect on the properties of the final part.

Stainless Steel Sheet

This is the most widely used type of steel due to its many benefits. It’s flexible, easy to mold, and has a unique sheen. Its ductility makes it simple to work with.

Three steel sheet grades are commonly used:

• Martensitic (contains no nickel).
• Austenitic (grade 300 stainless steel, most common)
• Ferritic (grade 400 series, contains little nickel)

Grade 304 is most widely used in different industries. Grade 316 is also noteworthy, as it offers the best corrosion resistance

Alloy Steel Sheet

Alloy steel is an economical type that typically contains various other elements, such as copper, nickel, and aluminum. These make it more resistant to corrosion. The mix of these elements also affects the strength and thickness so alloy steel can be ideal for a range of applications.

Carbon Steel Sheet

This is another common type and it’s very strong. One of the main disadvantages is that it’s highly corrosive, but a coating can be used to make it less prone to rusting.

There are six grades available depending on the carbon content, and they vary in terms of strength, durability, ductility, and brittleness. As such, it can be ideal for a wide range of uses.

Cold-Rolled Steel Sheet

This involves taking a hot-rolled sheet and then processing it further in cold-reduction materials. It cools at room temperature, which results in closer dimensional tolerances. This makes it ideal for applications that require a high degree of accuracy.

It offers a wider range of surface finishes and is typically stronger than hot-rolled steel. This results in improved aesthetics, which can be beneficial in certain use cases.

Total Steel Sheet

Tool Steel is typically used for making cutting and drilling tools. It’s ideal for this as it’s incredibly hard and heat resistant.

It contains additional elements, including cobalt, tungsten, and vanadium, with very little carbon. The amount of each element can be controlled to achieve the desired characteristics in the final product.

Galvanized Steel Sheet

Galvanized steel sheets are typically pre-plated with zinc or a combination of zinc and iron. It’s generally available as hot-dipped metal-coated galvanized sheets or as electro-galvanized sheets.

It goes through an annealing process, which makes it ideal for use in simple products. The zinc also helps add corrosion resistance. The overall composition affects both of these factors, along with the steel sheet costs.

Steel Sheet Uses

The versatility and advantages of steel sheets make them ideal for a huge range of applications. It’s possible to vary the composition to get desirable results, so if a company needs sheets that are highly durable, ductile, corrosion-resistant, etc., they can get exactly what they need.

The aerospace industry makes use of stainless steel sheets. This is for both vehicle bodies and smaller components.

The food industry also often uses stainless steel sheets for home appliances, cutlery, and kitchen utensils. It’s easy to clean, making it a very hygienic option. Similarly, stainless steel sheets are commonly seen in the medical industry for the manufacturing of medical devices and equipment.

In the construction industry, cold-rolled steel sheets are a common choice for various projects. They’re often used for building garages, sheds, and various other industrial structures.

Hot-rolled steel sheet is widely used in the automotive industry. It’s ideal for vehicle frames and bodies, as well as some other components.

Galvanized steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, which makes it a popular choice for shipping. It works well for building marine vessels and ship hulls. It’s also often used in agriculture for items like irrigation pipes and greenhouse equipment, as these are often exposed to water.

Importance of Steel Sheet

Steel itself has become one of the most widely used materials in the world because it’s reliable, durable, and cost-effective. It’s also 100% recyclable, so it can be a very environmentally friendly choice.

Perhaps the main benefit of steel sheets is their versatility. The manufacturing processes and composition can be varied to get different results. As such, you can determine your requirements early on and then have suitable sheets manufactured for you.

Intsel Steel East is a leading steel supplier based in New Jersey. We keep a range of popular parts in stock, and if we don’t have exactly what you need, we can produce it. Let us know your requirements, and we’ll be able to ensure you get the exact parts you need.

Getting Steel Sheets From Intsel Steel East

Steel sheets can vary a lot, making them ideal for a range of applications. They’re commonly used in various industries and can serve all kinds of purposes.

Intsel Steel East is the Northeast’s leading steel distributor. We’ve been in business for over a century and can often provide next-day delivery. Get in touch today to request a quote for steel sheets or any of our other quality steel products.