Steel sheet and plate are often paired together when steel sheet and plate are literally different products. Understanding the elemental difference between sheet and plate can help determine which sort is best fitted to your needs.

What is Steel Sheet Metal?

Steel sheet are often defined as metal thicker than foil but thinner than plate thickness. The gauge or thickness determines the designation of when metal foil becomes metal sheet and when metal sheet becomes metal plate. Thus, minimum sheet thickness is between 0.5mm maximum thickness is 6mm to be considered sheet .

Metal Foil Thickness: up to 0.2mm

Metal Plate Thickness: 6mm+

Steel sheet are often perforated, corrugated, or flat and raised expanded.

Steel sheet and plateWhat is plate Metal?

Steel plate metal are often defined as a sheet of metal 6mm or thicker. plate is measured in inches whereas sheet is measured in gauges. plate are often segmented into low, medium, and high steel plates. Higher carbon content increases the strength and hardness. Common uses for plate include:

Structural applications

Machinery

Bridges

Reinforcing columns

Steel sheet Processing Methods

Steel sheet processing options include hot-rolled or cold-rolled sheet .

Hot-Rolled Sheet Metal: cost-effective. The hot-rolling process increases the steel’s toughness and ductility. Hot-rolled steel is right for extrusions, forgings, and bending applications.

Hot-rolled steel is employed for pipes and tubing, construction, vehicle frames, and applications where tight tolerances aren’t required.

Cold-Rolled Sheet Metal: yield strength is above hot-rolled steel. it’s ideal for applications that need accurate dimensions and increased strength.

With its smooth finished surface, it’s ideal for applications including structural parts, metal furniture, or small appliances.

How to Choose Steel Metal Thickness

Regardless of your fabrication needs, the importance of selecting the proper metal gauge for your application can’t be overlooked. Choosing a gauge that’s thicker and more immune to fabrication can adversely affect your projects. Gauge is employed to live sheet thickness. A smaller gauge number reflects a thicker sheet . Common gauge numbers for steel range from 7 through 28.

Common Sheet and Plate Materials

Additional material types for sheet and plate metal include:

Aluminum Sheet and Plate

Stainless Steel Sheet and Plate

Brass Sheet and Plate

Find the proper Steel Sheet or plate Products for Your Project

Get the hot-rolled or cold-rolled steel sheet and plate you would like from Industrial Metal Supply. we’ve an in depth selection of steel sheet and plate during a sort of widths and lengths, with custom cut sheet and plate options available.