You need to purchase custom cut Metal for some kind of application, that’s why you’re here. This article will help you to decide on which material will best fit your requirements. We will start with a few basic questions to help determine the basis of what you need. We will discuss the following materials to offer guidance that pertains to your immediate tagging need and requirement.
Durability
Is your metal going to be subjected to harsh outdoor elements? Maybe it’s a sheet of metal simply being installed onto a control panel or power system that is kept indoors and within a climate controlled environment. Steel or Aluminum is always a sure bet – but which should you choose? Well that depends!
Anodized Aluminum VS. Stainless Steel
They are known as the best two materials in regards to harsh environments. Generally speaking I usually sway towards Aluminum as it’s light-weight and will not corrode. Stainless Steel can contain corrosive properties over long periods of time based on various chemicals, temperature and especially exposure to nature. The closer you are the ocean, the more likely you are to require aluminum.
Aluminum – A Fantastic Metal
Aluminum can be supplied in varying thickness from the ultra thin .003″ – .25″. When produced in a thin format such as .003″ – Aluminum can be extremely ideal for electrical equipment and machinery that may require barcoding, variable data, or information that specifically applies to inventory and tracking. Proper examples would be power supplies, small motors, pumps, laptops or tablets issued in bulk volume throughout an organization. Thin Aluminum labels and Metal Tags are difficult to remove and can be produced in a tamper-proof format to help discourage theft.
Aluminum can come in different finished, raw or anodized depending on the application.
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel can be supplied in varying thickness, but the background is always a chromium type finished. Sometimes brushed Metal Tags and Data plates that are manufactured out of Stainless Steel are ideal for harsh environments where they are subjected to physical abuse and chemical abuse. (physical impact or solvents/chemical agents).
Proper application examples would be motors, boiler systems, heat exchangers, power systems or engine parts. Stainless steel Metal Tags do not contour very well, but it sure does hold up and is easy to clean. A large majority of Metal Tags and Data plates are made from Stainless Steel for reasons of durability, aesthetics and sanitary properties. It is very easy to wipe down stainless and it cleans up nicely 🙂
Carbon Steel
Economical steel is commonly used in simple construction, disposable/temporary installations or painted parts. It can be Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled, Electro Galvanized and more!
Brass
Brass can be supplied in varying thickness though it’s much harder to cut with a laser. Brass is ideal for harsh environments where they are subjected to physical abuse and chemical abuse. However Brass is known to tarnish over time into a red or greenish color.
Proper application for Brass Tags would be valves, pumps, boiler systems, heat exchangers, or power systems. Brass does not contour very well around a part due to the thicker nature, but it sure does hold up and is easy to clean. A large majority of Metal Tags are made from Brass for reasons of durability, aesthetics and sanitary properties. It is very easy to wipe down stainless and it cleans up nicely 🙂