Selecting the Right Steel for the Right Application

Steel is one of the most widely used metals in the world, and for good reason. It is one of the strongest metals, with a very high strength-to-weight ratio that makes it ideal for creating everything from bridges and roads to skyscrapers and small appliances. The key to buying steel is to understand all the different options so you can select one that is perfect for your construction or building project. Here is a brief overview of what you should look for when you come to the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel in Utah.
 
Cost
One of the things that makes steel such an attractive option for many different building applications, creating everything from small works of art to large bridges and huge freeway systems, is its relatively low cost compared to other metals. Because it is light relative to other metals, it is also an attractive option if you need to have it shipped to you, or to a construction site—the lighter metal means less money spent on fuel to transport it.

Availability
There are six basic shapes of steel used in manufacturing today, including:

• Steel sheets – hot or cold rolled, up to about 5-7mm thick
• Bars – including round, rectangular, square, and hexagon shaped in varying thicknesses and diameters
• Tubes – including round, rectangular, and square, commonly used for piping
• Steel plates – including diamond plate and stainless steel plate
• Steel wire – mostly available in coils
• Structural steel – including angles, channels, I-beams, and more

At the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel in Utah, you can find a wide variety of all these types of steel that are clearly labeled and easy to locate. If you don’t see the size you need, we can cut it to a custom size for you.

How it is Used
Another very important consideration for what kind of steel you need is how you are planning to use it. Since steel is extremely versatile, and comes in a wide variety of different configurations, including configurations that include additions of other metals, you need to know the options and which will work best for your application.

For instance, new prime stainless steel is often used in the medical field and food production because it is very sanitary, and it is easy to keep clean. If you’re planning to build products for these industries, getting excess prime or used steel would obviously not work. On the other hand, if you are planning to build a large building, or use it in aerospace, you want to have the strongest steel possible to ensure that it will withstand forces that come with tall buildings or aircraft.

Industry Standards
When buying steel you can also take a look at industry standards for whatever you’re planning to build. Since the production of steel as we use it today has been refined over the past 150 years or so, there are many “industry best practice” materials that you can find. In other words, if everyone else is using it for a particular application, there is probably a reason—it has probably been proven to be the best steel option for that application.

In addition, you should consult any building codes or safety codes that can act as a guideline for getting the right type of steel. If there is no specific code for the project you’re working on, be liberal with your safety factor considerations.