What Are Metal Products?

Fabricated metal products are metal parts that are combined, shaped or otherwise processed to create a useful product. Fabrication is a blanket term for many metalworking processes; these include rolling, punching, stamping, sintering, welding, machining and many others.

Fabrication is a secondary metalworking process. Primary processes involve forming raw metal materials into shapes; extrusion and moulding are both primary processes. Metal fabricators take extrusions and moulded metals and weld them together, bend them and cut them to size. Nearly all products of primary metalworking processes require secondary processing to some extent before they become usable. For example, metal plates don’t become hinges until their edges are bent, holes are drilled or punched, and pins are inserted to connect them. Bar stock and small metal rods don’t become fasteners until they are machined and slotted. Fabrication services are essential to a long list of industrial operations including the automotive, aerospace, marine, construction, engineering, plumbing, petrochemical exploration and development, food and beverage and commercial product industries. Fabricated metal products are prominent features of most bridges, aeroplanes, ships and buildings. Smaller metal fabrications are also important parts of water tanks, electrical wiring enclosures, metal cabinets, frames, brackets, panels, outdoor grills and even sculptures.

General advantages of using steel:

• Steel is the world’s most widely used metallic construction material. An important reason for this is steel’s combination of competitive price and high performance.
• Steel gives off no emissions that can damage human health.
• Buildings with steel frames offer good safety, high comfort and satisfactory sound insulation. Steel does not retain damp which – in the long term – may cause allergies and health problems.
• Steel has a long useful life.
• Steel can be used advantageously where high hygiene standards are required, e.g. in the food industry and healthcare.
• Steel copes with extreme environments, e.g. corrosive liquids or high heat or pressure.
• All steel can be recycled and reused − over and over again!
• Steel’s magnetic properties mean that steel products can be dismantled easily and sorted for recycling or reuse.