Many people are convinced that the discovery of metal is one of the greatest things to ever happen to humankind. Different metals define your day-to-day activities in areas such as transportation, communication, health, and even your home or office.
The world provides a finite supply of metals in their natural forms, such as iron, copper, and silver. There is another metal category known as combined metals. Combined metals play an important part in manufacturing sophisticated items that allow us to realize a whole new universe of technological breakthroughs.
Are you interested in learning more about combined metals and the advantages they provide to the aerospace and medical industries? This aerospace metal supplier in Houston, Texas is going to discuss below.
What are combined metals?
Combined metals are metal alloys that are composed of two or more natural metals.
Alloying is used to enhance the quality of metals or to achieve certain properties. These properties include electrical resistivity and conductivity, thermal resistance, strength, corrosion resistance, durability, etc. Stainless steel, for example, has many subtypes/specifications, combining different metals to create a combination of properties, like AMS 5510 (Type 321), which is a chromium-nickel stainless steel with the addition of titanium, making it heat and corrosion resistant .
According to research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the metal fabrication industry will expand by 9% between 2016 and 2026. This expansion is fueled by ever-increasing technology breakthroughs and research in areas such as the aerospace and medical fields.
You might be wondering: what do these metals have to do with the aerospace and medical industries? This aerospace metal supplier in Houston, Texas is going to explain below.
The Advantages of Using Combined Metals in the Aerospace and Medical Industries
1. Thermal Resistance
Jet and rocket engines generate a lot of heat. Jet engines can generate heat of up to 1,650℉, whereas rocket engines can generate heat of up to 5,800℉. As any aerospace metal supplier in Houston, Texas will tell you, metals will quickly melt if exposed to these temperatures for a long time.
It is also worth noting that aerodynamic friction can produce a lot of heat at high speeds, which can easily cause metals like aluminum to melt. Titanium, like aluminum, is lightweight yet has excellent thermal resistance, making it the metal of choice when manufacturing high-speed aircraft.
2. Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion is a natural chemical process that occurs when air reacts with a metal to form metal oxide. This can result in high maintenance costs and a host of risks, including metal fatigue which can cause fatal accidents. Some of the most common corrosion-resistant metals include brass and copper.
Because of its remarkable corrosion resistance, stainless steel is widely used in the medical industry to fabricate medical and surgical equipment. This metal combines several chemical elements, including molybdenum, nickel, chromium, iron, manganese, and silicon.
Notwithstanding its high corrosion resistance, stainless steel is one of the most durable materials currently available, making it ideal for manufacturing a wide range of medical equipment. ASTM A666 is one such stainless steel specification for sheet, strip and plate.
3. Electrical Conductivity
When it comes to electrical conductivity, copper is usually the first thing that springs to most people’s minds. Copper is a naturally occurring metal that can be transformed from thin metal strips into wires or plates by an aerospace metal supplier in Houston, Texas. These copper products can then be used in motherboards for medical and aerospace systems.
Copper is a naturally occurring metal that can be combined with other metals to form alloys like brass. It can also be recycled and then re-used to manufacture communication and electrical devices.
Looking for the Top-Rated Aerospace Metal Supplier in Houston, Texas?
It is undeniable that combined metals have helped in the advancement of communication, medical, and aeronautical equipment. However, the quality and performance of these metals is only as good as the people who fabricate it.
Are you looking to purchase combined metals that are ideal for the aerospace and medical industries? If so, and if you are looking for the top-rated aerospace metal supplier in Houston, Texas, Banner Industries is the company to call. Contact us today at (800) 950-3652 to discuss your project.