Reference
Materials We Work With
The grades we buy most often, in the forms and thickness ranges we run them, and what to watch for in the design.
Direct answer: we work with carbon steel, galvanised steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass and engineering plastics in sheet, strip, bar and billet. Material selection is driven by strength, corrosion requirement, conductivity and the forming process, not by what happens to be in stock. Mill certificates to EN 10204 3.1 are available for the actual heat used on your order.
Carbon and galvanised steel
| Grade | Form and range | Processes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPCC / DC01 | Sheet 0.3 – 6 mm, strip 0.2 – 4 mm | Laser cutting, stamping, bending | Cold rolled, good surface; needs coating for corrosion resistance |
| SPHC / Q235 | Sheet 1 – 12 mm | Laser cutting, bending, welding | Hot rolled, economical structural material; rougher surface |
| SGCC / DX51D | Sheet 0.4 – 3 mm | Laser cutting, stamping, bending | Hot dip galvanised; cut edges are unprotected |
| SECC | Sheet 0.4 – 3 mm | Stamping, bending | Electro-galvanised, smooth surface for visible enclosures |
Stainless steel
| Grade | Form and range | Processes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | Sheet 0.3 – 6 mm, bar 3 – 60 mm | Laser cutting, stamping, bending, CNC machining | General corrosion resistance; not for chloride-rich environments |
| 316L | Sheet 0.5 – 6 mm, bar 3 – 60 mm | Laser cutting, bending, CNC machining | Marine and chemical environments; weld with matching filler |
| 430 | Sheet 0.4 – 3 mm | Stamping, bending, laser cutting | Lower cost, magnetic; less formable than 304 |
Aluminium
| Grade | Form and range | Processes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1060 | Sheet 0.5 – 8 mm | Laser cutting, bending, stamping | Highest conductivity, soft; use for busbars and heat parts |
| 5052 | Sheet 0.5 – 6 mm | Laser cutting, bending, stamping | Good corrosion resistance and strength; bend radius 1.5 x thickness |
| 6061 | Bar 5 – 200 mm, plate 6 – 100 mm | CNC machining, bending of soft tempers | Machinable structural alloy; T6 does not bend without cracking |
| 5754 | Sheet 0.5 – 6 mm | Stamping, bending | Automotive body and heat shield material with good formability |
Copper, brass and other alloys
| Grade | Form and range | Processes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C11000 | Sheet 0.5 – 6 mm, bar 3 – 50 mm | Stamping, bending, CNC machining | Highest conductivity for busbars and contacts |
| C18150 | Bar and plate 3 – 50 mm | CNC machining, bending | Chromium zirconium copper; keeps strength after bending |
| C2680 / C2801 | Strip 0.2 – 3 mm, bar 3 – 40 mm | Stamping, CNC machining | Free machining brass for terminals |
| Phosphor bronze | Strip 0.1 – 2 mm | Stamping | Spring contacts and terminals requiring fatigue resistance |
Where a part must insulate or must not conduct, we machine plastics with the same CNC equipment: POM, PA66, PEEK, PTFE, PC and bakelite. Typical form is bar or plate from 5 to 200 mm, and tolerances follow the same ±0.01 to ±0.02 mm as metal machining with allowance for thermal expansion.
- The exact grade, not just “stainless steel” – 304 and 316L behave differently in service
- The form you are buying (sheet, strip, bar, plate) and the thickness or diameter
- Whether the material certificate is required, and at which standard
- The coating or plating system and the corrosion test it must pass
- Any restriction such as RoHS, REACH, food contact or low outgassing
Frequently asked questions
Can you supply material certificates?
Yes – EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates for the actual heat used on your order, and a declaration of conformity. Certificate numbers are recorded against your order and referenced in the inspection report.
Which stainless grade should I use outdoors?
316L is the safer choice for coastal, chemical or chloride-rich environments; 304 is acceptable inland where the chloride level is low. If the part is welded, use a matching filler and remove heat tint before service.
Can you work with material I supply free issue?
Free-issue material is possible after the mill certificate is reviewed and the quantity covers a reasonable scrap allowance. Formability and surface quality remain your responsibility for free-issue stock, and that is stated in the quotation.
Do you stock materials?
Common grades and thicknesses are kept in stock for fast samples; less common grades and sizes are bought for the order, which adds to the lead time. The quotation states whether the material is ex-stock.
Not sure which grade fits the application?
Send the drawing and the service condition – temperature, corrosion, conductivity – and we recommend the grade and the finish instead of guessing.