Titanium
Learn MoreNickel Alloys
Learn MoreCarbon & Alloy Steel
Learn MoreStainless Steel
Learn MoreAluminium
Learn MoreCopper, Brass and Bronze
Learn MoreWant To See The Full Range of Products ? View The Full Catalog
What Are Metal Standards and Why Are They Important?
When sourcing metals, it is of critical importance to have a uniform and consistent means of assuring metal properties meet the desired performance characteristics. Learn more about metal standards in our informative eBook.
Get Your Copy Today
Estimate Your Shipping Weight
Need help estimating your product order weight for shipping your next order? Use our free material weight calculator and request a quote today.
View Our Metals CalculatorIndustries We Serve
The Aerospace Industry
Continental Steel provides our partners in the aerospace industry with the necessary titanium, nickel, aluminum, copper and stainless grades to meet their strict project requirements.
Explore Aerospace Metals
Our Services
From the Blog
Exploring the Versatile Applications of Nickel Alloy in Various Industries
Nickel alloys have many beneficial properties. They play a crucial role in multiple industries. As a member of the iron group, the material is ductile, hard, malleable, and easy to work with. It’s also a fairly good conductor of electricity and heat and can resist corrosion at high temperatures, making it a good choice for aerospace, electrical, and chemical processing applications. Depending on the needs of a particular project, nickel alloys come in a variety of stock forms and shapes, including sheet, coil, & plate. At Continental Steel & Tube Company, we are a specialty supplier of all forms and grades of nickel. Whether you require nickel tube, pipe, sheet, bar, wire, plate, fittings, or more, we have the right solution for you. Understanding the Grades of Nickel and Nickel Alloys Nickel 200 and 201 are considered commercially pure nickel grades. This means that they contain at least 99% nickel, with the other 1% or less consisting of iron, copper, manganese, carbon, and other metals. Nickel 200. This is the most commonly used of the commercially pure nickel alloy grades. Many industries use Nickel 200 and 201 alloys because of its superior thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance against caustic alkalis, and mechanical properties. Other favorable properties of Nickel 200 include ideal magnetostrictive properties and minimal electrical resistivity. Nickel 201. Nickel 201 is similar to Nickel 200 but with a lower carbon content (0.02% max). This slight modification provides improved resistance to graphitization at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for applications where high-temperature and corrosion resistance are required. Nickel Alloys. In addition to these two types of pure nickel, there are various types of nickel alloys, including: Alloy 20 155 188 255 Monel® 400 Inconel® 600 Inconel® 601 Inconel® 617 Inconel® 625 Inconel® 718 Incoloy® 800H/HT Incoloy® 825 A286 / A-286 Hastelloy® C22 / C-22 Hastelloy® C276 / C-276 Hastelloy® X Inconel® X-750 Invar® 36 Invar® 42 Haynes® 25 / L-605 Monel ® K-500 Rene® 41 Waspaloy® Alloy 6B Custom 455 Hastelloy® B3 Kovar Applications of Nickel Plates, Sheets, and Coils in Different Industries Numerous applications and industries rely on nickel plates and other forms of nickel alloy. Aerospace Industry Aerospace companies often use nickel alloys in engine parts because of their high level of heat resistance and ability to hold up in extreme environments. Nickel sheets are frequently used to produce airframes, spacecraft components, and jet engines due to their resistance to heat and corrosion. Chemical Industry Chemical processing equipment is often constructed using nickel plates, coils, and sheets for their chemical-resistant properties. Specific applications in this industry include pipes, reactors, and other chemical plant equipment. Automotive Industry Nickel plates are commonly used to produce various vehicle components to enhance their appearance and corrosion resistance. Automotive manufacturers also utilize nickel sheets for electric vehicle battery production due to their high energy density. Electrical Industry Nickel sheets and plates are frequently used in battery components and electronic connectors because of their good electrical conductivity. The material’s magnetic properties also make it a suitable option for magnetic storage devices such as hard drives. Medical Industry Nickel's corrosion-resistant and biocompatible properties make it useful in fabricating surgical implants and equipment. Nickel-titanium alloys are particularly popular in dental wires, stents, and other medical devices. Choose Continental Steel for Your Nickel Plates, Sheets, Tubes, Bars, Coils, and More If you require high-quality nickel plates, sheets, tubes, bars, or coils for your application, Continental Steel offers a wide range of nickel alloys and products to meet your needs. With ideal properties such as improved versatility, increased corrosion resistance, toughness, heat resistance, and more, nickel alloys offer the ideal solution for a diverse range of industries and applications. Contact us or request a quote today for more information about our extensive selection of nickel alloy products.
Copper, Brass & Bronze in the Aerospace Industry
Click to Expand The aerospace industry depends on various aerospace-grade alloys to ensure aircraft parts and components meet the industry's high standards. These components must withstand the demands of air travel, including heavy loads, high temperatures, abrasion, and corrosion. Due to their properties, copper, brass, and bronze are used extensively in the aerospace industry. They are ideal materials for manufacturing aircraft components with excellent wear and corrosion resistance, such as bearings, bushings, and wheel and brake parts. Here, we will explore the copper, brass, and bronze alloys used in aerospace manufacturing, including the common components produced and the unique benefits these materials offer. Aerospace Grade Alloys Aerospace-grade alloys are used in many applications, including pylons, hydraulic pump parts, tail and wing actuators, brake and wheel parts, cargo door bushings, landing gear bushings, and bearings. Aerospace alloys address the unique challenges of aircraft applications, which must reliably handle abrasion, corrosion, and heavy loads. Aerospace-grade alloys include the following: AMS 4533 (C17200) Beryllium Copper AMS 4616 (C65620) Silicon Bronze AMS 4634 (C64200) Silicon Aluminum Bronze AMS 4640 'H' (C63000) Nickel Aluminum Bronze AMS 4842 (C93700) High Leaded Tin Bronze '80-10-10' AMS 4862 (C86300) Manganese Bronze AMS 4871 (C95400) Aluminum Bronze '9C' AMS 4881 'D' Continuous Cast (C95520) Nickel Aluminum Bronze C67300 (SAE J463, J461) Manganese Bronze AMS 4589, AMS 4590, AMS 4596, AMS 4597, AMS 4880 C26000, C63020, C72900, C95510, C95520, C11000 Uses of Copper, Brass & Bronze Alloys in the Aerospace Industry The aerospace industry requires special materials to manufacture components that conform to the industry's strict high-performance standards. Brass offers unique engineering qualities that fit the demands of aerospace applications. Its exceptional corrosion resistance makes it an excellent material for brake and wheel parts as well as bearings and bushings for cargo doors and landing gears. Bronze is also a common aerospace material that can be heat-treated to increase its strength and mechanical properties. Also used for landing gear bushings, bronze is ideal for withstanding challenging conditions like high temperatures, abrasion, and heavy loads. Bronze with high silicon content is also suitable for aerospace applications due to its exceptional mechanical properties and self-lubrication. The uses of bronze, brass, and copper aerospace alloys for the aerospace industry include the manufacture of: Flap and slap carriages Flight controls Flight instruments Ground equipment Hatch and door mechanisms Helicopter controls Hydraulic actuators Landing gear bearings and bushings Missile vane controls Static joints Steering joints Warhead delivery systems Wheel bearings Why Continental Steel? Aircraft alloys must safely and reliably carry fighter pilots, astronauts, commercial airline passengers, cargo, and more. Thus, aerospace materials must comply with aerospace specifications and offer high strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight construction. Aerospace-grade copper, brass, and bronze alloys are common choices because they withstand the abrasion, load, and high temperatures common in aerospace applications. They make aerospace components such as bearings and bushings for landing gears, flight controls, and steering joints. Continental Steel is a specialty metal supplier offering brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, steel, nickel, stainless steel, and titanium from four distribution centers throughout the U.S. We have been a leading supplier since 1985 and maintain AS9120B:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications. Continental Steel is a supplier trusted by leaders in the military and aerospace industries. Contact us or request a quote to learn more about our materials and capabilities.
Coated Metals
All You Need to Know About Coated Metals Applications involving ferrous metals like steel may require that the material undergo a coating process before it's suitable to use. Through one of several techniques, manufacturers can coat the surface of the metal with an alloy or other material to prevent corrosion and rust, enhance wear resistance and appearance, and achieve particular performance goals. Learn more about the types of coated metals available as well as their applications and benefits. What Are Coated Metals? Coated metal surfaces provide added protection for the material underneath and can prevent rust and corrosion that might otherwise develop from exposure to chemicals, air, or water. There are multiple coating materials and techniques that manufacturers can use, depending on the specific needs of the application. Click to Expand Manufacturers throughout numerous industries rely on coated metals to safeguard their products from damage. Industries with the highest need for metal protective coatings include: Aerospace Appliances Automotive Construction Electronics Marine Rainwater goods Manufacturers have many types of coated metals to choose from, each one delivering its own unique advantages. The most common types of coated metals include: Galvalume This type of steel is a structural, commercial, drawing, and forming variety that has undergone galvanization with an aluminum alloy consisting of 45% zinc. It's beneficial for its ability to retain its flatness, its superior resistance to corrosion as compared to standard galvanized steel, and its compatibility with painting processes. Galvalume steel is useful in applications such as ducting, varied paneling, and computer housings, to name a few. Galvanized To safeguard against corrosion, the galvanizing process applies a zinc layer overtop a ferrous metal. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing. During this process, you dip steel material into a molten zinc bath to coat it. When you reexpose the material to the air, the zinc reacts to the oxygen immediately, resulting in a zinc-oxide layer of superior strength and corrosion resistance. Together, the steel and zinc create a metallurgical bond, which prevents flaking. Galvanized coatings are available in several weights, including G40, G60, and G90. Electro-galvanized. The electro-galvanizing process utilizes an electrical current to bond a zinc or zinc-iron coating with steel through an electrolytic technique. Electro-galvanized metal will have a uniform coating thickness, a smooth appearance with a matte finish, and a paintable surface post-priming. Metals that have undergone this process are ideal for automotive paneling applications. Prepainted cold rolled and galvanized carbon steel Prepainted steel offers excellent coating coverage and uniformity, resulting in improved corrosion resistance and minimized manufacturing time, since it eliminates the need for drying. This technique is suitable for high-volume production in numerous prepainted colors and texture choices. Prepainted steel is common in consumer appliance, automotive, and metal roofing applications. Galvannealed Coated with a zinc-iron alloy, galvannealed steel provides good flatness, formability, and weldability while still allowing for surface painting. It offers lower resistance to corrosion than galvalume steel, but it's still advantageous in electrical components, doors and framing, and exterior signage. Aluminized Aluminized metal coating involves surrounding a steel component with pure aluminum, which results in maximum corrosion and thermal resistance. Steel with an aluminum coating is applicable for many industrial tasks, such as HVAC systems, heat exchangers, and products for high-heat environments, such as baking sheets. When comparing aluminized steel vs. galvanized steel, aluminized steel can withstand significantly higher temperatures. Tin plate Tin plating involves covering a steel surface with tin in thin layers, providing optimal solderability and corrosion and rust resistance. As tin is a ductile material, products with tin plating have good formability, allowing you to produce components in various configurations without damaging the plating. Bonderized The bonderizing process involves putting cleaned galvanized steel through a phosphate bath followed by a chromate dry to produce a crystalline zinc-phosphate layer. The resulting finish is an excellent paint primer that improves paint's lifespan, but you should be ready to use the material immediately to prevent white rust. Also known as paint grip steel, bonderized steel has ideal uses in roofing applications, flashing, gutters, downspouts, outdoor signs, and more. Anodized When anodizing, manufacturers immerse a metal component within a tank containing an electrolytic solution and a cathode of lead or aluminum. As electric current passes through the component, the process encourages a non-toxic oxide layer to form overtop the metal's surface for greater protection and easy maintenance. Anodizing ultimately creates a thicker layer faster than if a surface were to oxidize naturally, and provides good chemical stability for a lasting coating. Anodizing is ideal for aluminum in particular and works with several non-ferrous metals, but all ferrous metals, including iron and steel, are incompatible with the process. Color options are also limited. Benefits of Coated Metals Metal coating techniques make ferrous substrates suitable for long-lasting use in their applications. Coated metals provide: Enhanced product lifespan due to products' surface strength Durability and minimal friction, even in high-contact components Resistance to abrasion, general wear, galvanization, oxidation, rust, corrosion, chemicals, and electricity damage Electrical conductivity (beneficial for commercial and industrial parts) Polished, aesthetically pleasing finishes free from surface flaws Increased torque, with effortless lubrication of fasteners or related components Simplified assembly, disassembly, and – given coatings' non-stick nature – cleanup tasks Budgetary savings Coated Steel and More From Continental Steel & Tube Company Coated metals increase the durability and lifespan of the components that manufacturers use these materials to produce. As a leading global supplier and distributor of high-quality metals, Continental Steel can help you identify and source the most suitable coated metal for your application. To learn more about our material options and industrial metal coating, contact us today.
