Pure aluminum has a density of 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter. This value remains nearly the same across all common grades, unless alloys or extreme conditions alter it. The number tells you how much one cubic centimeter of aluminum weighs.

Aluminum is a silver-colored metal. It is soft, lightweight, and has good corrosion resistance. Pure aluminum is rarely used for parts. It’s too weak for most load-bearing tasks. But it’s excellent for electrical wiring and chemical equipment because it resists corrosion and conducts electricity well.

Low alloy steel is a type of steel that has small amounts of added elements, usually between 1% and 8%. These elements are added to improve the steel’s strength, hardness, resistance to rust, and toughness. Common added elements include chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium. These make the steel stronger and more durable than regular carbon steel but without the high cost of stainless steel.

Both 6061-T6 and 6061-T651 offer high strength, good corrosion resistance, and excellent machinability. The main difference is stress relief. T651 is stretched after heat treatment, which reduces internal stresses. T6 is not. For most projects, either option can work, but T651 provides more stability when tight tolerances or large plates are required.

18/8 stainless steel is an alloy mainly made of iron, chromium, and nickel. Chromium provides rust resistance, while nickel helps maintain the metal’s stability and shine. The typical blend is 18% chromium and 8% nickel, balanced with iron and tiny amounts of other elements. These different elements might include carbon and manganese to add strength.

310 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel. It belongs to the 300 series, known for its corrosion resistance and good strength. Among them, 310 offers better high-temperature strength than types 304 or 316.

This alloy is designed to work in heat-intensive applications. It stays stable and resists scaling even when exposed to temperatures above 1000°F. That makes it a reliable choice for heat exchangers, furnaces, and thermal processing equipment.

Material hardness is the ability of a material to resist surface deformation, including scratching, denting, and indentation. A more rigid material usually wears down slower than a softer one.

Hardness is not the same as strength or toughness. A part can be strong but still scratch easily. Hardness focuses on surface resistance, not how much force a part can carry before breaking.

A sheet metal gauge is a system used to measure the thickness of metal sheets. The gauge number correlates with the thickness, with lower numbers representing thicker sheets. This numbering system can vary depending on the metal type, but it is commonly used in construction, automotive, and manufacturing industries.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, but the proportion of zinc varies to create different types. The most common types include alpha, beta, and alpha-beta brass. Depending on the application, each has distinct specifications, like corrosion resistance or machinability.

Mechanical fastening refers to joining two or more components together using physical fasteners. Depending on the method used, these fasteners can create either permanent or non-permanent connections.

Mechanical fasteners are a practical and reliable way to create strong and secure joints.

304 stainless steel is an austenitic alloy containing 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel, often called “18/8 steel”. This composition gives it excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, and high strength.

It is usually non-magnetic and can be easily formed or welded without losing its properties.

Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy that includes at least 10.5% chromium and varying amounts of other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, and carbon. The specific composition can differ significantly among the many grades of stainless steel, each tailored for particular properties and applications. 

Ferrous and non-ferrous metals differ primarily in their iron content. Ferrous metals contain iron, offering strength and magnetism, while non-ferrous metals lack iron, providing corrosion resistance and lighter weight. This distinction determines their specific industrial applications.

301 stainless steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel alloy known for its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and adaptability. It is a modification of Type 304 stainless steel, with reduced chromium and nickel content, to enhance its work-hardening capabilities.

201 and 304 stainless steel are austenitic grades with excellent formability and weldability. While 304 offers superior corrosion resistance and maintains its strength at extreme temperatures, 201 provides a more cost-effective solution for less demanding applications due to its lower nickel content and comparable mechanical properties.

Lightweight metals are structural materials with densities below 4.5 g/cm³, making them significantly lighter than traditional steel, which is 7.85 g/cm³. This defining threshold emerged from decades of materials science research and practical industrial applications.