How to Save Money When Buying steel profiles

AISI

Stands for American Iron and Steel Institute. The institute serves as the voice of the North American steel industry. AISI numbers are used to categorize metals by alloy type and carbon content, and they do it with four digits. The first two digits of an AISI number refer to the alloy type, and the second two digits refer to carbon content.

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ALLOY

A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements. An alloy typically possesses qualities different from those of the components used to create it.

ASM

Stands for American Society for Metals. ASM International is the world's largest association of metal material engineers and scientists. The association engages and connects materials professionals and their organizations to the resources necessary to solve problems, improve outcomes, and advance society.

ASTM

Stands for American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM International is a not-for-profit organization that develops standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Metal with an ASTM designation meets the international standards for quality and regulations.

CUT-TO-LENGTH

This process levels coil into a flat sheet or blank. The service provides better length and width tolerances than sheared product, and it can improve diagonal tolerances as well.

DEBURRING

Cutting metals can leave behind burrs, which are unwanted raised edges or protrusions. Deburring is the process of removing these burrs with a tool.

DRAWING

Drawing is a metalworking process that uses tensile forces to stretch metal. As the metal is drawn, it stretches thinner, into a desired shape and thickness.

DRAWING TEMPERATURE

Drawing is usually done at room temperature, classifying it as a cold working process. However, it may be performed at elevated temperatures during special applications like on large wires, rods, or hollow sections in order to reduce forces.

ELONGATION

A metal fabricating term that refers to the degree to which a material can be bent, stretched, or compressed before rupturing. A metal's elongation is a point between tensile strength and yield strength, and it is typically expressed as a percentage of the original length.

GAUGE

The thickness of sheet metal in the USA is commonly specified by a traditional, non-linear measure known as its gauge. The larger the gauge number, the thinner the metal.

HEAT LOTS OR HEAT NUMBER

A heat number is an identification number that is stamped on a material plate to prove it meets industry quality standards which require materials to be tested by the manufacturer. The heat lot or heat number is used to identify production runs for quality control purposes.

EDGE ROLLING

Edge rolling is the process of adding finishing edges to metal. It forms the edge of a strip to the desired shape beyond that of a standard slit edge.

MIL STD

Stands for Military Standard. This classification establishes uniform engineering and technical requirements for military-unique or substantially modified commercial processes, procedures, practices, and methods. In order to qualify, materials have undergone rugged, exact testing, equal to the exigencies of combat use.

NORMALIZING TEMPERATURE

Normalization is a heat treatment that relieves stress on steel to improve ductility and toughness in steel that may harden after the cold working process. During normalization, steel is warmed to a temperature just above its upper critical point. Normalized heat treatment facilitates a more uniform final product.

ROCKWELL SCALE

The Rockwell Scale indicates the hardness of materials. Rockwell hardness numbers are most often used to describe the hardness of metals, although they are also used for some plastics. The Rockwell scale is based on measuring the depth of the indentation made by pressing a diamond point into a material.

SAE

Stands for Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE International is a global association of engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive, and commercial-vehicle industries. Materials meeting SAE standards are internationally recognized for safety, quality, and effectiveness.

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SLITTING

Slitting is a precise shearing process, but instead of making cuts at the end of a workpiece like shearing, slitting cuts a wide coil of metal into a number of narrower coils as the main coil is moved through the slitter. During the slitting process, the metal coil passes lengthwise through the slitter's circular blades.

TEMPER

Temper refers to reheating hardened, normalized, or mechanically worked steel to a temperature below the critical range to soften it and improve impact strength. Tempering results in greater toughness by decreasing an alloy's hardness.

TENSILE STRENGTH

The maximum stress a material will withstand before fracturing or breaking. The ultimate tensile strength is calculated from the maximum load applied during the test, divided by the original cross-sectional area.

UNS DESIGNATION/NUMBER

Stands for the Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys. UNS designation provides a means of correlating internationally used metal and alloy numbering systems currently administered by societies, trade associations, and those individual users and producers of metals and alloys. This system is meant to avoid the confusion caused by using more than one identification number for the same metal or alloy, and the opposite situation of having the same number assigned to two or more different metals or alloys.

YIELD STRENGTH

The amount of stress a material can withstand before causing permanent deformity.

When planning a steel fabrication project, understanding the key cost factors can help manage budgets and ensure a smooth process from start to finish. Steel fabrication, while offering strength and versatility, involves a range of variables that can affect overall costs. Here are the most important factors that influence the price of steel fabrication projects:

Material Costs

The price of raw steel is one of the most significant factors in any fabrication project. Steel prices fluctuate based on market conditions, including supply and demand, global economic factors, and the cost of raw materials such as iron ore. Choosing the right grade of steel for your project ' whether it's mild steel, stainless steel, or high-strength alloys ' will also impact the overall cost. High-quality steel may come at a premium but often delivers better durability and performance.

Design Complexity

The complexity of a project's design has a direct impact on costs. More intricate designs require more labour, time, and specialised equipment to fabricate. Projects with complex geometries, tight tolerances, or custom finishes will take more effort to execute, driving up costs compared to simpler designs that require basic cutting and welding.

Labour Costs

Labour is a major component of steel fabrication costs. Skilled welders, engineers, and machine operators are essential to ensure the accuracy and quality of each project. Labour costs may vary based on the region, level of expertise required, and the length of time needed to complete the job. Additionally, more intricate projects with specialised requirements will demand more skilled labour, leading to higher labour expenses.

Fabrication Techniques and Equipment

The fabrication methods used can also impact the cost. Advanced technologies, such as CNC cutting, robotic welding, and laser cutting, offer precision and efficiency but often require significant upfront investment in machinery. While these technologies can reduce labour costs and material waste, they can also add to the initial setup costs for a project. Selecting the appropriate equipment and fabrication techniques for the job is essential for balancing quality and cost.

Finishing and Coating

Once the steel is fabricated, additional processes such as surface treatments, painting, galvanising, or powder coating may be necessary to protect the material and enhance its appearance. The type of finish or coating required depends on the environmental conditions the steel will face, as well as aesthetic preferences. These finishing processes add to the project cost, with certain finishes being more expensive than others, especially if they require multiple layers or specialised applications.

Transport and Installation

Transporting fabricated steel to the project site is another cost consideration. Steel is heavy, and moving large or custom pieces requires specialised transportation and handling. Additionally, installation costs ' especially for projects like loft conversions or home extensions ' can vary based on site accessibility, crane or rigging requirements, and the need for skilled installers. Poor access to the site or complex installation needs can significantly increase costs.

Lead Time and Project Deadlines

The timeframe of a project can also influence costs. Projects that require a faster turnaround may incur additional fees for rush orders, overtime labour, or expedited shipping. Tight deadlines can also lead to increased labour hours or the need for extra shifts, further increasing the overall project cost. On the other hand, longer lead times may allow fabricators to schedule work more efficiently, potentially reducing costs.

Project Size and Quantity

Larger projects or bulk orders typically enjoy economies of scale. The more steel components required, the more efficiently a fabrication shop can work, spreading out the costs of setup, labour, and equipment use. Smaller or custom orders, however, may not benefit from these efficiencies and could end up being more expensive per unit.

Understanding these factors is crucial for accurately budgeting a steel fabrication project. Whether it's a residential loft conversion or a commercial extension, knowing where costs come from allows you to make informed decisions and adjust project plans accordingly. At MAH Steel, we specialise in managing these cost variables while delivering high-quality, customised steel solutions for residential and commercial projects across the South East of England. By leveraging modern fabrication techniques and a highly skilled team, we ensure that every project is completed efficiently and within budget.

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