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Anodized blue refers to aluminum or another metal that has been anodized and then dyed blue. Anodizing is an electrochemical process. It thickens the natural oxide layer on the metal surface. This layer is hard, wear-resistant, and porous.
Galvanized steel has a pure zinc coating, offering strong rust protection and a shiny look. Galvannealed steel, on the other hand, is heat-treated after zinc coating, making it matte, harder, and easier to paint. Galvanized works well in wet places or where looks matter. Galvannealed is best when you need a surface that holds paint or can handle scratches.
Powder coating thickness is the depth of the coating applied to a surface. It is measured from the top of the coating to the part’s surface underneath. The ideal powder coating thickness ranges from 2 to 5 mils (50-125 microns). This ensures strong protection, a smooth look, and no performance issues.
The number 316 refers to the grade in the 300 series of stainless steels. It’s austenitic, meaning it has a face-centered cubic crystal structure. It contains iron, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, which give the metal its strength and rust resistance.
Alodine and Anodize are two popular treatments for aluminum surfaces. Both improve corrosion resistance but use different methods. Anodizing is an electrochemical process that builds a thick, rigid, and non-conductive oxide layer on the metal. Alodine is a chemical process that forms a thinner, conductive layer. It offers good protection but keeps the metal’s electrical conductivity.
Hard turning is precision turning that shapes metals with high hardness, typically above 45 HRC. The process uses a single-point cutting tool made of CBN (cubic boron nitride), ceramic, or carbide. The goal is to produce a smooth surface and meet tight tolerances in a single operation. It’s most often used on steel parts after heat treatment, eliminating the need for secondary grinding.
Linishing is a surface finishing method used to smooth and polish metal parts. It removes burrs, scratches, or weld marks using abrasive tools like belts or discs, making the surface cleaner and more even. It’s often done after cutting, welding, or shaping to prepare the part for painting, coating, or assembly.
Tin is not a magnetic metal. Standard tin does not react to magnets, and you cannot attract it with a magnet. Tin is known as a “diamagnetic” material, which means it creates a weak opposing force to a magnetic field.
201 stainless steel is part of the 200 series of austenitic stainless steels. It contains less nickel than 304 but adds more manganese and nitrogen to compensate. This change helps lower the cost while keeping much of the needed strength and ductility. The standard composition includes around 16–18% chromium, 3.5–5.5% manganese, 4–6% nickel, and small amounts of nitrogen and carbon.
5754 aluminum is an aluminum-magnesium alloy. It contains around 3% magnesium, which helps boost its strength and resistance to corrosion. This alloy is non-heat-treatable, so it gets stronger through cold working, not heating.
Graphite doesn’t have one fixed density. It changes depending on the type, purity, and production method. Understanding these differences helps you select the right graphite for your use.
Graphite density usually falls between 1.5 and 2.26 grams per cubic centimeter.
Wire forming is a process that bends, twists, or cuts metal wire into specific shapes and forms. The wire can be formed using tools like dies, presses, or CNC machines. Simple parts include hooks or rings. Complex shapes include spring clips, frames, or medical components. The shape depends on the tool, the method, and the material.
At room temperature (around 20°C or 68°F), tungsten has a standard density of 19.25 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
This makes tungsten nearly twice as dense as lead and almost four times as dense as aluminum. It remains stable at most working temperatures, meaning its density does not change significantly in typical environments.
No, gold does not rust. Gold is a noble metal. That means it resists reacting with air, water, and most chemicals. So, pure gold doesn’t form rust, corrosion, or tarnish in regular conditions. However, gold alloys can behave differently depending on the metals with which they are mixed.
Casting works well for making complex shapes in larger quantities. Machining is best for precise, custom parts with tight tolerances. If you want high detail and smooth finishes, machining is a strong choice. If you want to make many parts at once with complex shapes, casting is often better.
Pure brass shows no attraction to magnets. This is because its main ingredients—copper and zinc—are both non-magnetic. When combined, these metals do not create any strong magnetic field.
You can hold a strong magnet next to a clean piece of brass, and it won’t move.
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