As we have seen, steel products are produced in a variety of shapes and sizes. This diagram shows the product shapes that are typically used in the molding industry:
- Sheet Steel
- Round, Square, and Rectangular Bar Stock
- Plates
- Pipe and Tubing
- Structural Shapes
Steel manufacturer’s catalogs are available for reference in the selection of these standard shapes. Most of these catalogs have technical sections with all types of helpful data such as stock sizes, tolerances, weights, color codes, and mechanical properties. The steel buyer has many criteria besides shape to consider when selecting steel types. Some of the additional things to consider include:
- Application
- Carbon and Alloy Content
- Heat Treatments
- Surface Finishes
- Size and Tolerances
- Mechanical Properties
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