Sep.

12, 2025

What are the different types and grades of sheet metal

Contents

Copper, Brass, and Other Alloys

Sheet Metal Specifications

FAQ

What are the different types and grades of sheet metal

resists rust. Grades can make the price go up or down. The table below shows that aluminum is used the most. Steel is still popular and costs less for most jobs.

Type of Sheet Metal	Market Share (%)	End-Use Sectors
Aluminum	73.22	Automobile, Construction, Heavy Industries
Stainless Steel	N/A	Cookware, Kitchenware, Washing Machines

Sheet Metal Specifications help you pick the best metal. New machines and robots make good grades easier to get. You will see more examples and tips in the next parts.

Stainless Steel

Grades

Stainless steel has grades like 304, 316, 410, and 430. Each grade uses a different mix of metals. This mix changes how strong the sheet is. It also changes how well it fights rust. The table below helps you compare the most common grades:

Grade	Composition	Mechanical Properties	Key Features	Common Applications
304	18-20% Cr, 8-10.5% Ni, ≤0.08% C	Tensile: 515-750 MPa, Yield: 215-240 MPa	Excellent corrosion resistance, easy to weld	Kitchen sinks, food processing equipment
316	16-18% Cr, 10-14% Ni, 2-3% Mo	Higher corrosion resistance, especially against salt	Superior pitting resistance	Marine equipment, chemical tanks
410	11.5-13.5% Cr, 0.15% C	High strength, moderate corrosion resistance	Hardens with heat, magnetic	Cutlery, valves
430	16-18% Cr, ≤0.12% C	Good corrosion resistance, less expensive	Magnetic, easy to form	Automotive trim, appliances

Tip: Pick grade 316 if you need the best rust protection near saltwater.

Category	Composition Details	Common Grades
Austenitic	Chromium and nickel; sometimes manganese and molybdenum. Non-magnetic, great corrosion resistance.	303, 304, 316, 310, 321
Ferritic	Less nickel; includes chromium, molybdenum, niobium, titanium. Mostly magnetic, good corrosion resistance.	409, 430
Duplex	Mixes austenitic and ferritic properties. Good weldability and formability.	318L, LDX 2101, LDX 2304, 2507
Martensitic & Precipitation Hardening	Extra carbon for hardening. Magnetic, moderate to good corrosion resistance.	410, 420

Uses

Stainless steel sheet metal is used in many places. Here are some common uses:

Medical: Surgical tools, hospital furniture, implants
Automotive: Exhaust systems, trims, body panels
Construction: Roofing, cladding, supports
Foodservice: Kitchen counters, food processing machines
Aerospace: Parts that need strength and heat resistance

Stainless steel does not rust as fast as other metals. Grade 316 is good for salty places like kitchens near the ocean or boats. Grade 304 is fine for most indoor jobs. Grade 430 is used for trim and grills. You should pick the right grade and category for your project to get the best results.

Carbon Steel

Grades

You will find carbon steel in four main grades. These grades depend on how much carbon is in the metal. The table below shows the main types and their carbon content:

Grade	Carbon Content Range	Characteristics
Low-carbon steel	0.04% to 0.30%	Highly ductile, easy to weld, low cost, excellent formability
Medium-carbon steel	0.31% to 0.60%	Balanced ductility and strength, can be strengthened through heat treatment
High-carbon steel	0.61% to 1.50%	Exceptional hardness and strength, but brittle and difficult to work with
Ultra-high-carbon steel	1.25% to 2.0%	Very hard, used for specialty tools and cutting edges

You will often see grades like A36 and 516-70. Grade A36 is a low-carbon steel. It is easy to shape and weld. Grade 516-70 is a medium-carbon steel. It works well for pressure vessels and tanks.

Properties

Carbon steel gives you a wide range of mechanical properties. The amount of carbon changes how strong and hard the metal is. The table below helps you compare the main properties:

Property	Low Carbon Steel	Medium Carbon Steel	High Carbon Steel
Tensile Strength MPa	400–600	600–900	900–1500
Hardness (HB)	120–180	170–250	250–600
Ductility	High	Medium	Low
Weldability	Excellent	Moderate	Poor
Density	~7.85 g/cm³	~7.85 g/cm³	~7.85 g/cm³

Tip: Choose low-carbon steel if you need to bend, cut, or weld the metal easily. Pick high-carbon steel for jobs that need extra hardness, like making cutting tools.

Applications

You can use carbon steel sheet metal in many industries. Each grade fits different jobs. Here are some common uses:

Building: Beams, columns, plates, and reinforcement bars
Automotive: Body panels, chassis parts, and supports
Manufacturing: Tools, gears, and shafts
Shipbuilding: Decks and hulls for ships
Gas & Oil: Pipelines, tanks, and drilling equipment
Appliances: Refrigerator and oven parts
Agriculture: Plows and cultivators
Infrastructure: Water treatment plants and towers

Low-carbon steel works best for construction and automotive panels. Medium-carbon steel fits gears and shafts. High-carbon steel is ideal for cutting tools and springs. You should match the grade to your project needs for the best results.

Aluminum

Grades

There are many grades of aluminum sheet metal. Each grade has a special mix of metals. This mix changes how strong the sheet is. It also changes how well it fights rust. The table below lists popular grades and their main uses:

Aluminum Grade	Typical Alloy Composition	Key Properties and Applications
1100	99.0% or greater purity	Softest alloy, excellent corrosion resistance, used in electrical work, food handling, etc.
3003	Alloyed with manganese	Good formability, moderate strength, used in cooking utensils, chemical equipment, etc.
3004	Similar to 3003, with 1% magnesium	Increased strength, used in storage tanks, cookware, etc.
3105	Similar to 3003	Slightly higher strength, used in roofing and siding applications.
5052	Strongest non-heat treatable	Versatile, used in marine environments, automotive applications, etc.

Tip: Pick grade 5052 if you need aluminum for salty or rough places.

Features

Aluminum sheet metal is light and strong. You can bend most grades without trouble. Some grades stop rust better than others. The table below helps you see which grades are strong, resist rust, and bend well:

Aluminum Grade	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Corrosion Resistance	Formability
5052	220	Excellent for saltwater	Excellent
6061	310	Good for architectural use	Good
7075	572	Resistant to chemicals and harsh weather	Poor

Grades 1100 and 3003 are good if you need to bend the metal. Grade 6061 is great for furniture and gutters. Grade 7075 is very strong but does not bend much.

Uses

Aluminum sheet metal is used in many fields. Each grade is best for certain jobs. The table below shows what each grade is used for:

Aluminum Grade	Applications
1100	Chemical equipment, fin stock, dials, railroad tank cars, nameplates, cooking utensils, rivets.
3003	Cooking utensils, pot lids, general-purpose applications, economical alternative for various uses.
6061	Guttering, furniture, products experiencing wear and tear, high humidity environments.

Grade 1100 is good for food and chemical work. Grade 3003 is used for cookware and many other things. Grade 6061 is best for strong items that last long. Aluminum sheet metal gives you lots of choices. Pick the grade that fits your job for strength, rust protection, and shape.

Galvanized Steel

Types

There are two main types of galvanized steel sheet metal. One is hot-dip galvanized, and the other is electro-galvanized. Each type uses a different way to add a zinc layer for protection.

Feature	Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel	Electro-Galvanized Steel
Coating Process	Dipped in molten zinc	Electroplated with zinc
Coating Thickness	Thicker, rougher layer	Thinner, smoother layer
Corrosion Resistance	Superior due to thicker coating	Less effective, wears away faster
Durability	Longer-lasting, ideal for heavy-duty use	Less durable, suitable for lighter applications
Cost	More expensive but better long-term value	More affordable, suitable for indoor use
Common Applications	Bridges, guardrails, outdoor structures	Automotive parts, home appliances

Hot-dip galvanized steel has a thick and rough zinc layer. It works best for outside jobs and tough projects. Electro-galvanized steel has a thin and smooth finish. You see it used in cars, appliances, and office tools.

Grades

Galvanized steel grades depend on how thick the zinc coating is. Thicker coatings protect better from rust and water. The table below shows how the coating thickness changes rust protection:

Coating Thickness	Corrosion Resistance Effect
Thicker Coating	Stronger barrier against moisture and contaminants, reducing rust formation.
Additional Zinc Layer	Delays exposure of underlying steel to corrosive agents.

When you use a thicker coating, the steel fights rust longer. Tests show that thick coatings last longer in tough places. You should pick a thicker grade for outside or factory work.

Tip: Use hot-dip galvanized steel for bridges, guardrails, or any job that faces rain or snow.

Applications

Galvanized steel sheet metal helps make strong and lasting things. You see it in many places:

Building frames for support and safety.
Making roads and bridges stronger for heavy traffic.
Crossing places with bad weather or special needs.
Holding up machines and equipment in factories.
Protecting outdoor monuments and memorials.
Building handrails, canopies, and solar panels that last.

Hot-dip galvanized steel is good for outside buildings, power poles, and farm tools. Electro-galvanized steel is best for car parts, home machines, and office furniture. Pick the right type and grade for your project and where it will be used.

Copper, Brass, and Other Alloys

Grades

There are many grades for copper, brass, and other alloy sheet metals. Each grade gives your project different features. The table below lists some common grades and what makes them special:

Metal Type	Alloy Name	Unique Properties
Brass	Alloy 260	Good for cold working; used in ammunitions, cars, fasteners, and hardware.
Brass	Alloy 272	Contains 33% zinc; fits industrial and building needs.
Brass	Alloy 330	High machinability; low lead; used for pipes.
Brass	Alloy 353	Excellent for precision parts like clock pieces.
Brass	Alloy 360	Most common; easy to shape; used in hardware.
Brass	Alloy 385	Used in construction and architecture.
Brass	Alloy 464	Great corrosion resistance; good for welding.
Bronze	Alloy 932	High-leaded; used for bushings and washers.
Bronze	Alloy 954	Aluminum bronze; used in machines.
Copper	Alloy 101	Oxygen-free; very high conductivity.
Copper	Alloy 110	Highest electrical and thermal conductivity.
Copper	Alloy 122	Easy to form and weld; used in tubing.
Copper	Alloy 145	Tellurium copper; excellent conductivity.

Note: Titanium and lead do not have as many grades for sheet metal. You will see them in special jobs.

Properties

Copper and brass have their own strengths. Copper is great at fighting rust, even in tough places. Brass is strong and easy to cut or shape. If brass has a lot of zinc, it can wear out faster. The table below helps you see how copper and brass compare:

Property	Copper (C11000)	Brass (C26000)
Tensile Strength (MPa)	200–250	300–550
Yield Strength (MPa)	70–150	100–400
Elongation (%)	40–60	10–50
Hardness (Brinell)	40–50	70–150
Corrosion Resistance	High, forms patina	Moderate, depends on zinc

Titanium is strong and light. It does not rust easily. Lead is soft and heavy. It is good for blocking radiation and keeping people safe.

Uses

You will find copper, brass, titanium, and lead sheet metals in many fields. Each metal is best for certain jobs:

Copper: People use copper in electronics, HVAC, construction, medical, and cars.
Brass: Brass is found in musical instruments, plumbing, and decorations.
Titanium: Titanium is used in planes and medical implants because it is strong and safe.
Lead: Lead is used for blocking radiation in hospitals and nuclear plants.

Tip: Use copper for high conductivity, brass for easy shaping, titanium for strength and rust resistance, and lead for radiation safety.

Sheet Metal Specifications

Classification

It is important to know Sheet Metal Specifications before you start. Makers sort sheet metal by a few things. Thickness is very important. Most places use millimeters to measure thickness. In the U.S., people use gauge numbers instead. For example, 10 gauge stainless steel is 0.135 inches thick. 10 gauge aluminum is 0.102 inches thick. Copper sheet metal uses ounces per square foot, not gauge.

Specification Aspect	Details
Thickness Measurement	Millimeters (global), Gauge (U.S.)
Gauge Range	30 gauge (0.40 mm) to 7 gauge (4.55 mm)
Copper Measurement	Ounces per square foot

Sheet Metal Specifications also show grade and alloy family. Aluminum alloys use numbers. The first number tells you the alloy family. Steel alloys use four numbers for SAE grade. The first number shows the main alloying element. The second number shows other elements. The last two numbers tell the carbon content.

Surface finish is another part of Sheet Metal Specifications. You can pick finishes like powder coating, galvanizing, anodizing, polishing, or brushed. These finishes change how the metal looks. They also help the metal fight rust.

Tip: Always look at the gauge chart for your metal. Different metals have different thicknesses for the same gauge.

Selection Tips

When you choose Sheet Metal Specifications, think about a few things. Tensile strength shows how much force the metal can take. Corrosion resistance matters if your project gets wet. Weldability and machinability show how easy it is to join or cut the metal. Ductility and formability help you shape the metal.

You should check the fabrication process too. Using standard tool sizes saves money. Put holes away from bends to stop distortion. Keep the bend radius the same for easier work. Material thickness changes how you add hardware.

Some mistakes are ignoring bend allowances, putting holes too close to bends, and using sharp corners. These can cause cracks, tears, or wrinkles when making the metal. Always check tolerances and pick the right finish for strength and looks.

Finishes like powder coating and anodizing help stop rust.
Polishing or brushed finishes make the metal look better.
Good finishes help your project last longer.

If you use these tips, you will pick Sheet Metal Specifications that work for you and avoid mistakes.

Picking sheet metal means knowing what makes each kind different. Every type and grade has its own strength, weight, and rust protection. The table below shows what is important:

Type/Grade	Key Characteristics	Impact on Suitability
Various Types	What it’s made of, thickness, finish	How well it works for certain jobs
Corrosion Resistance	Lasts longer in hard places	Good for outside or wet areas
Strength and Weight	Changes with each type	Decides how much it can hold and how you design it

If you pick the right sheet metal, your project will last longer and work better. Always think about how strong it is, how easy it is to use, and how much it costs. If your job is special, ask a supplier or expert for help.