Metal Pipe and Tubing

Metal Pipe and Tubing

 

There are few things as ubiquitous in our society as metal pipe and tubing, specifically steel. In fact, it is used in so many different ways and applications that you most likely don’t even notice it on a daily basis because it is so prevalent in everything around us.

The Reasons We Use Steel

Steel has been around in one form or another for much of modern society, even dating back to earlier civilizations in the form of iron to create horseshoes, weapons, and tools that people could use for daily chores and tasks. Over time the process evolved to include the addition of elements such as carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and even small amounts of nitrogen and aluminum. Today steel producers also add other metal and elements to increase the hardness, tensile strength, and other characteristics depending on the application.

 

The Many Uses for Steel Tubing

There is a wide variety of steel tubing sizes and shapes available, ranging from very small diameters to diameters wide enough to support buildings, create oil pipelines, and more. Steel is preferred over other metals for things that require long-term durability and strength. It can withstand corrosion and rust much better than other metals, even if it is exposed to the outdoors and the elements. In addition, exposure to heat does not change the makeup of steel, so it is widely used for construction or other applications that need fire-resistant materials.

The most common areas where metal pipe and tubing are used include:

·         Pipelines to carry oil, gas, water, and chemicals

·         Heavy machinery parts

·         Food processing (since it’s easy to clean and keep sterile)

·         Medical and Pharmaceutical applications

·         The Auto industry

·         Transportation

·         Marine applications

·         Dock piles

·         Bollards

·         Fencing

·         Signs

·         Road bore casings

·         Construction

Buying Metal Tubing

Stainless steel tubing comes in such a wide variety of sizes and shapes to suit any project specifications, and when you buy it from Wasatch Steel, you get great selection plus a great price. We always have surplus steel, used tubing, and even excess prime that is like new available for lower costs than you could find it from places that only stock prime steel.

The biggest difference between excess prime (or surplus steel) metal tubing, and prime (or new) metal tubing is often just the way it looks. If prime tubing is exposed to water or other elements and loses some of its shiny appearance, some companies can no longer use it for its intended purpose. They are forced to sell it secondhand to metal companies like Wasatch Steel, which means you can get metal pipe that is nearly new for a fraction of the cost to purchase prime.

A Reputation for Excellence and Service

You can find seamless and welded tubing, and no matter what you are planning to use it for, we can cut it to your exact size while you wait. Wasatch Steel is built on a reputation of customer service and our helpful staff will work to get you the order you need right away, no matter how big or small your order is. We won’t make you wait hours, or even days, to get the tubing cut to the right size, we’ll do it on the spot or as quickly as we can to get you back to work.

Plasma Cut Steel

Plasma Cut Steel

Steel is one of the most widely used metals in the world today, and it has so many different applications that we can use it for—to strengthen our roads, our buildings, and even everyday items like appliances, fences, and more. Getting the right metal sheets from Wasatch Steel means coming in to check out the selection and consult on the sizes and shapes that fit your project, which is where plasma cutting comes in.

Using Steel in Our Daily Lives

There are many different types of metal that are available today, and with modern technology, all of them are fairly reasonable to get a hold of if you need them. While they vary in price, their quality and availability are generally not an issue.

The reason that most people choose steel is because of its tremendous corrosion resistance, a very high strength-to-weight ratio, and thermal properties that ensure that even at high temperatures, it will not break down or become weaker. The result is a strong and resilient metal that will outlast just about any other metal on the planet.

What is Plasma Cutting?

You may be wondering what plasma cut steel is, and how you can get metal sheets of steel from a place like Wasatch Steel. When steel comes from the larger mills and manufacturing facilities, it is often in large, continuous sheets that must be cut down to size. The size that you need ranges from just a few inches to perhaps several feet or more. Wasatch Steel can take your order and get you the plasma cut steel that matches your needs precisely. We also carry a sizeable inventory of surplus or excess prime metal in various shapes and sizes to fit any project need and budget.

How is Plasma Cutting Different from Other Methods?

The process of oxyfuel has long been used to cut steel or metal sheets, but today many people are choosing to use plasma cutting instead. Plasma cutting certainly has some advantages over other methods, including:

·         The ability to cut faster than any other steel-cutting method, even oxyfuel.

·         No heat is required to complete the process; the plasma is is not a heated element, so there is no risk of burning yourself on the tool or on the recently cut metal sheets. There are also no dangerous gases involved.

·         The width that you need to cut to split the metal sheet is very thin, and provides a high quality edge with no heat warping or heat-affected areas of the metal, making it ideal when you need to keep the rest of the metal sheet intact.

·         Plasma can cut, gouge, and pierce any steel at a high rate and in a way that produces the highest quality cuts.

·         Plasma is useful for all different types of metal, even metals that oxyfuel is not capable of cutting.

·         The entire process is quicker, cleaner, and costs less than other options.

·         Plasma cutting allows you to get metal that is significantly thinner, and with a better and more even slice.

Discuss the benefits of a plasma cutter with the specialists at Wasatch Steel to find out what kind of metal sheets you might need, and how you can get just the sizes and specifications you need for your next project.

 

Steel Plates

Steel Plates

You may be aware of the volume of steel that we use in our daily lives, and one of the most widely used for several different construction, building, and daily manufacturing purposes is steel plate. If your construction project calls for strong, durable material, you can find it at Wasatch Steel, where they are your metal suppliers for a range of sheet metal options.

The Makings of Steel Plate

One of the reasons that steel plate is so popular in the manufacturing process is its versatility. You can have steel plate manufactured to a variety of different thicknesses and several different measurements, including wide or short widths, depending on your needs for the finished product.

To make steel plate, high-temperature steel passes through rolling machines, helping it gain strength as several layers of steel are merged into one single plate with the perfect dimensions for thickness, length, and width. After hot steel is rolled and compressed, it cools and hardens into one of the strongest and most durable building materials available.

Steel Plate Grades

The exact grade of steel plate is determined by what else is added. A variety of other elements and metals may be included with steel plate, including carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and copper. At Wasatch Steel you may find surplus or excess prime steel plate in grades ranging from A-36 to A-588, and perhaps even abrasion resistant (AR) steel.

What You Can Make

When you use steel plate from the metal suppliers at Wasatch Steel, your possibilities are endless. With high tensile strength, and exceptional corrosion resistance, steel plate is a great addition to many of the products we use every day, such as appliances, to some of the strongest and most important products that our armed forces use, such as a ship hull in the Naval fleet.

 

Many construction companies are likely familiar with the grade of steel plate called structural steel—used in the manufacture of steel beams, and secured with a bolt to the concrete or flooring below. Steel plate is also used for manufacturing heavy equipment, including bulldozers, earth movers, armor plate and bulletproof materials for military vehicles, and more.

More specialized grades of steel plate, such as ones that are manufactured with carbon to resist rust and corrosion over time, are often used for marine applications, such as building ships for the U.S. Navy. Steel plate manufactured with exceptional strength is often used to build skyscrapers, bridges, or other things that will need to withstand high stress loads on a regular basis.

Getting the Best Steel Plates

Choosing the best steel plates for whatever your application might be is often a matter of having access to a wide variety of plate options so you can narrow it down based on your own criteria, and you’re not limited to one specific kind because it’s the only one available at the shop. Head down to the metal suppliers at Wasatch Steel to see their broad collection and browse through it to find just the pieces you need.

Metal Railings

Metal Railings

Getting just the look you want from your decks, stairways, and patio enclosures is often a delicate balance between choosing the right materials and sticking to the budget. Today there are more options than ever, and you can choose from natural materials such as wood or metal, or composite materials such as vinyl. There are some advantages and disadvantages to each, but overall when you choose metal railings in Salt Lake City for your enclosures, you get the look of timeless classic décor combined with durability and strength, which is a great investment.

Metal Railing Designs Available

Using metal for your railings means you can get a flexible, safe, and low-maintenance material that will enhance the entire look and complement the feel of your décor instantly. It comes in three grades, depending on what kind of strength qualities you are seeking from the inventory at Wasatch Steel. You can usually get it in aluminum, stainless steel, and unaltered steel, although many new metal shops are now creating it with special blends that change its properties somewhat.

The Benefits of Metal Railing

One of the biggest benefits that metal railing can offer is its strength and durability. There are few other products that can even come close when it comes to building your deck, porch, or outdoor oasis in terms of their ability to deliver on long-term beauty, sustainability, and strength.

If you have ever priced out metal for your next deck, porch, or enclosure, you may have noticed that it is not the least expensive option. However, it’s important to keep in mind that in the long-term it is actually one of the materials with the best value; the key is to look at it over time instead of just the short-term. In the short-term there are less expensive options, including vinyl and wood. However, neither of these items are built to last and can withstand the forces Mother Nature will throw at it, along with the torture of daily us in your high-traffic areas such as the porch or deck.

In addition to offering you superior long life in terms of a building material, it can also make a bold statement about your style and enhance the entire look of your property. Fences that have metal railings, decks with metal spindles, and similar metal items all give a home or the property surrounding it an air of dignity and the desire to go against some trendier options when its comes to your home, your most valuable investment.


Comparing Metal and the Competitors
Many homeowners make the mistake of choosing products that are either very custom designed (such as with wood handrails) or expensive. While these products can sometimes give you a specific historic look you’re hoping to achieve, most often they just cost a lot of money and they require tons of maintenance and upkeep. Metal is also beneficial because metal railings don’t require any ongoing maintenance plans, while other materials may require frequent staining, repairs to damaged railing pieces, and more.

When you compare metal railings in Salt Lake City to any of the other potential materials, the choice for durability, strength, ease of use, and more is going to be metal.

Rebar

Rebar - What is it made out of and how is it used? 

Most people have heard the term “rebar”, but you may not know exactly what it means, and why it is used. It is actually a term that is short for “reinforcing bar”, and it is most often used to support concrete or other structures and improve their strength.

What is Rebar Made Of?

Rebar is made of steel and other metal supplies. You can buy steel at a place like Wasatch Steel, where different grades and sizes of rebar are available. Rebar is easy to distinguish by the ribbing all along the surface of the bar that will help connect it to the adjacent concrete so it cannot be easily pulled out. Since steel and concrete have very similar expansion properties, this metal is ideal to accompany concrete for reinforcement because it won’t cause problems when the temperature changes inside or outside of a structure built with concrete and reinforced with rebar.

Some of the most common rebar is created using tempered steel, which means it will likely rust. If it’s not properly protected within a concrete structure, the rust could eventually compromise the integrity of the rebar and cause the building or structure to become unstable. This can be particularly problematic in areas where there is a high humidity or salt content (such as in bridges over salt water, in areas with high snow fall that use salt to melt snow and ice on the roads, or in coastal areas). In those cases, there are corrosion-resistant rebar varieties including epoxy-coated, galvanized, or stainless steel that can be used to prevent rusting and structural compromise.

 

Rebar Sizing and Grading

Rebar is sized using a number system that ranges from #2 to #18J (where the J stands for Jumbo). The number corresponds to a measurement in diameter, measured in one-eighth increments. In other words, if you have a #3, it would be a 3/8-inch diameter. Most rebar that is size #14 or larger is used for particularly heavy-duty applications or large structures.

Rebar is also graded to differentiate the different varieties of yield strength, tensile strength, chemical composition, and elongation. The most typical grades available at Wasatch Steel are 40, 60, and 75 ksi. For reference, 1 ksi is equal to 1000 psi.

Common Rebar Uses

While rebar has long been used for construction purposes (in fact, probably for hundreds of years, even before it was termed “rebar”), it is most often used today to provide support for concrete. While concrete has a very high level of compression strength, it does not have much tensile strength, meaning that under very strong tension it will tend to crack or break. In order to help balance concrete and use it for a variety of construction purposes, rebar is used to reinforce and increase tensile strength.

While concrete is an important building product, it is not one that can be used on its own. When subjected to high-tension loads, concrete will often crack or break, necessitating the use of reinforcement that can withstand high-tension loads. With the wide variety of steel supplies and rebar available from Wasatch Steel, you can get all your construction needs for any project, large or small.

Metal Roof

The Benefits to Having a Metal Roof

Your roof is one thing that you probably don’t think about much—that is, until there is something wrong and it is leaking or causing other problems. One of the most common roofing materials in use today is asphalt shingles, but growing in popularity is metal roofing. Although it is still not the most common roofing material, there are some distinct advantages to metal roofing.

#1: A Metal Roof is Designed to Last

A typical shingle roof, whether you opt for asphalt shingles or the more expensive cedar shake, is usually designed to last about 20 years. In some cases, depending on the weather in your area, and the quality of your roofing materials and installation, you may be able to get 25 years, but in other cases your roof might only last 15 years. Metal roof materials, on the other hand, are usually designed to last 50 years or more. Since a roof is a very expensive item to replace, having a roof that will last can provide you with peace of mind, and it can help save you money.

 

#2: Metal Roofs Can Withstand Severe Weather

When you get rain, hail, snow, and high winds, traditional roofing materials often become damaged or buckle under the stress. They may begin to peel off, leak, or have pieces that come lose and put you at risk for interior damage to your home. A metal roof made of high quality steel material from Wasatch Steel, on the other hand, has the ability to withstand most hail, wind, and snow damage. In addition, metal roofs will not curl or bend like asphalt shingles often do under severe stress.

#3: Metal Roofs Can Save You Money

Not only will you have to replace your roof less frequently, when you have a metal roof you will probably realize some significant savings. One of the biggest benefits that metal suppliers will tell you about are the utility savings. Metal roofs are very energy efficient, meaning you can reduce your monthly utility bills just by having the roof. A metal roof built with supplies from a place like Wasatch Steel is also going to have better fire-resistance, and weather resistance, so you may be able to get discounts on your homeowners insurance too. Since metal is also significantly lighter than other non-metal roof materials, you can feel good about being earth-friendly and saving fuel costs to transport the metal to your home. Steel is also one of the most universally recyclable materials, so it’s a good bet that you’re using recycled steel and helping conserve resources.

#4: Metal Roofing is Customizable

If you’re worried about having a steel-colored roof that will make your home or building look like a warehouse, rest assured that metal is one of the most customizable materials you can use for your roof. You can get it in a wide variety of different styles and sizes, including different colors, from Wasatch Steel. You can paint it to be whatever color you prefer, so it can be a perfect match for your home. Since steel holds paint well, it will stay vibrant and colorful long after asphalt or cedar shingles fade and look worn out.

A metal roof might not be the right fit for every home, but it can be a great addition to anyone’s building or home if you’re looking for something energy efficient, cost-effective, beautiful, and durable.

Steel and Its Importance

Steel and Its Importance

Few people in the world today take the time to stop and consider how much of a role steel plays in our lives. While it is sometimes easy to miss, the importance of steel should not be overlooked. It is part of just about everything we do, own, and see, and forms the backbone of our modern society. Here are just a few reasons that steel is so integral in everything we build today.

Strength

Steel is one of the strongest metals on earth, offering an exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratio. This measurement defines the level of force that can be applied to a metal, as function of its weight. Steel is a very light metal, but can withstand significant force, making it very strong in a variety of different situations. A place like Wasatch Steel in Salt Lake City has a variety of strong steel beams that can be used in several different applications, from do-it-yourself home projects to large construction sites. 

Because it has such a high strength-to-weight ratio, buildings that use steel for construction require less material than more traditional items, such as concrete or wood, and the lower volume of materials means the overall environmental impact of the building is reduced. This is especially true for large buildings, such as skyscrapers, because they would require such a high volume of other building materials compared to steel that it would have a much larger impact on the environment.

Versatile

Steel is also one of the most versatile metals. It is used to make I-beams for structural support in buildings, and it’s used to make blenders that we put on our kitchen counter at home. We can put it in roadways to strengthen them and help protect drivers, and create structures with steel beams that are better able to withstand forces from earthquakes and other dangerous natural disasters.

Another area where steel is widely used is in the food and medical industries, because it can have a smooth surface that is easy to sanitize. We use it for transportation, processing, and agricultural equipment because it is so strong. We also use it for several building and decorative projects because it has a pleasing aesthetic appearance. You can find a wide variety of different steel supplies, types, shapes, and sizes at a place like Wasatch Steel in Salt Lake City, no matter what industry you work in and how you want to use the steel.

 

Environmentally Friendly

Finally, steel is important in our daily use because it is a very earth-friendly metal. Steel is one material that can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of its quality, strength, or hardness. By recycling metals such as steel, fewer raw materials are used to create new steel, and less energy is used in the production of steel, meaning fewer CO₂ emissions. In fact, since global steel needs are projected to double by 2050 (according to the International Energy Agency or IEA), the use of recycled steel, steel surplus, or excess prime like that available at Wasatch Steel in Salt Lake City will help reduce the environmental impact of building and manufacturing significantly.

With its abundance, relative low cost, strength, versatility, and environmental friendliness, steel has quickly become the backbone of our modern world.

Metal Rosettes

The Beauty of Hand Forged Rosettes
 
Metal, particularly iron and steel, have long been used for decorative purposes. Today decorative metal can be found in a wide variety of places, from business signs to wall art, and as an architectural statement on fences, staircases, railings, and more. If you have ever seen the intricate designs of items such as hand-forged steel rosettes, you know why many people choose to use it as part of a beautiful design scheme.

The History of Metal Art

Metal has been used to sculpt pieces of art dating back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used bronze and other metals to create ornate wall hangings, the Romans and Greeks built statues and furniture out of iron and bronze, and even used it to make basic necessities like utensils. During the Middle Ages, Europeans used metal for everything from functional (gates, screens, weapons, and hardware) to beautiful and ornate artwork (scrollwork, hinges, and decorative gates).

Metal has also long been used to create smaller more intricate pieces, such as jewelry, jewel boxes, and items to hold sacred religious relics such as a crucifix. Metalworkers would hone their artistic skills over many years to create beautiful designs that would last for ages—in fact, Spanish and Italian silversmiths are still known for their beautiful metal artwork during a renaissance period of the late 1500s and 1600s.

 

Hand-Forged Metal Art Today

Although times have changed since the Middle Ages, one thing that has not changed is the lasting beauty and durability of metal artwork, specifically intricate designs such as hand-forged steel rosettes. Although there are far fewer silversmiths or blacksmiths today, there are still a significant number of metal artists who use steel supplies from Wasatch Steel to create stunning and unique designs out of both new and recycled steel.

These designs can be used in a wide variety of ways, from more functional applications as a washer to help distribute a heavy load to purely decorative applications as an architectural design on a fence post or as wall décor on old buildings. This wall or fence décor may be simple steel rosettes or intricate designs that involve a high-grade, high-quality steel to prevent rusting, add to the strength and capabilities of the rosette, and make them corrosion resistant. They also come in a wide variety of designs to suit your specific needs and decorative desires for any project.

 

Most metalworkers today will either cut the designs using a laser, or they will use techniques such as punching, chiseling, and flame cutting. Sometimes the method used is determined by the volume of rosettes to be made, with high-volume orders usually being cut by laser to preserve time. Once cut, the metal can be formed into just about any rosette style or shape desired, including floral shapes, geometric shapes, animal or human forms, or even custom designs such as gargoyles or skulls. Forming the intricate details and shapes of flowers, humans, animals, and more requires the work of a skilled artist, who often shapes these things by hand using only some basic tools.

When you want metal that will stand out, getting hand-forged steel rosettes can be the difference between bland and fascinating pieces of art in and around your home. Explore the possibilities of rosettes and other steel supplies available today at Wasatch Steel.