Applications of zinc-coated (galvanized) steel sheets
By: The Steel Insider – Your Go-To Guide for Everything Metal Introduction: The Everyday Hero You Don’t Notice You’ve probably walked on it, driven beside it, or even stored your...
Common finishes for stainless steel (2B, No. 4, BA, etc.)
Stainless steel is valued for its durability, corrosion resistance, and sleek appearance, but not all stainless steel surfaces are the same. Different finishes affect the metal’s texture, reflectivity, and suitability...
Cycle counting tips to avoid surprises
Imagine this: You’re running your warehouse smoothly, but when it’s time for inventory reconciliation, you discover discrepancies that throw everything off. Missing items, overstocked shelves, or incorrect counts—these surprises can...
Flatness tolerances and what to check before cutting
When working with metal, wood, or other materials, flatness tolerance is a critical factor that affects the accuracy, quality, and efficiency of the final product. If the material isn’t flat...
How customers choose steel for pressure vessel applications
Pressure vessels are essential in industries like oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation, and food manufacturing. These containers store gases and liquids under high pressure, meaning they must be...
How to pack and protect materials for long hauls
When materials are shipped over long distances, proper packing and protection are essential to prevent damage, contamination, and costly losses. Whether you’re transporting steel, aluminum, lumber, or fragile goods, ensuring...
Mill production cuts and their downstream effects
When mills reduce production, the effects ripple throughout the supply chain, impacting distributors, manufacturers, fabricators, and end users. Whether caused by raw material shortages, declining demand, regulatory policies, or economic...
Rising influence of OEMs on supply chain structure
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are playing an increasingly dominant role in shaping global supply chains. As industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and heavy equipment demand greater efficiency, customization, and reliability,...
Temperature limits for different grades of stainless steel
Stainless steel is widely used in high-temperature environments such as industrial furnaces, chemical processing, power plants, and aerospace applications. However, not all stainless steel grades perform the same way at...
Understanding machinability ratings for metal grades
Machining metal is a critical process in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. But not all metals cut, drill, or mill the same way—some are easier to machine than others.
