Sheet Metal Materials for Fabrication
Choosing the right metal is the foundation of a strong, long-lasting part. Meco fabricates a wide range of sheet metals, and our engineers help you match the alloy to your part's strength, corrosion, and forming needs, before any cutting begins.
How to Choose the Right Metal
We look at four key factors so your Meco-made parts perform every time.
Mechanical Strength
For parts that carry heavy loads, we use strong grades like carbon steel and stainless steel.
Corrosion Resistance
For outdoor, marine, or wet jobs, we use rust-fighting alloys like aluminum 5052 and stainless 304 and 316.
Formability & Welding
For deep bends and complex shapes, we pick easy-to-form metals like aluminum 3003 and low-carbon steel that bend without cracking.
Conductivity & Finish
For electrical parts we use copper, and for good-looking parts we use metals like aluminum that anodize and coat well.
Metal Properties and Capabilities
Compare strength, corrosion resistance, tolerance, and the processes we run, so you can pick the right metal for your part. Values are typical ranges for standard grades.
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| Material Family | Grades / Alloys | Tensile(MPa) | Yield(MPa) | Corrosion Resistance |
General Tolerance |
What We Can Do | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (Wrought) | 1050, 3003, 5052, 6061, 6063, 7075 |
110–570 | 95–500 | ±0.10 mm | PunchingAnodizingForgingPlatingPainting | Light, rust-resistant enclosures, brackets, panels | |
| Aluminum (Cast) | ADC12, A380, A356, ZL101 |
170–340 | 100–250 | ±0.15 mm | Die CastingAnodizingPlatingPainting | Housings and covers made in high volume | |
| Steel | Carbon & Alloy Steel |
400–1100 | 250–700 | ±0.10 mm | ForgingPunchingWeldingPlating | Strong frames, brackets, and load-bearing parts | |
| Stainless Steel | 304, 316 |
515–800 | 205–500 | ±0.10 mm | WeldingPunchingPVDNickel Plating | Wet, marine, and food-safe parts that must not rust | |
| Brass | Standard Grades |
300–550 | 150–420 | ±0.08 mm | PunchingForgingWeldingChrome/Nickel Plating | Fittings, decorative parts, low-friction contacts | |
| Bronze | Standard Grades |
240–750 | 125–380 | ±0.08 mm | TurningForgingWelding | Bearings, bushings, long-wearing sliding parts | |
| Copper | Standard Grades |
220–300 | 69–250 | ±0.10 mm | PunchingPlatingPainting | Electrical parts, bus bars, heat spreaders | |
| Titanium | Standard Grades |
900–1000 | 800–900 | ±0.10 mm | AnodizingTurning | High-stress, corrosion-critical, lightweight parts | |
| Magnesium | AZ91D, AM50 |
230–260 | 150–160 | ±0.15 mm | Die Casting | Very light housings where weight matters most | |
| Zinc | Zamak 3, 5 |
280–330 | 200–250 | ±0.05 mm | Die CastingPlatingPainting | Detailed cast parts with fine features | |
| Tungsten Carbide | N/A |
500+ | – | ±0.005 mm | Precision Machining | Tooling, dies, and very hard wear parts |
Values are typical ranges for standard grades and vary with alloy, temper, thickness, and part design. Explore our fabrication and welding services, metal stamping, and surface finishing, and our engineers will help you pick the right metal.
Common Questions About Sheet Metal Materials
Quick answers to the questions engineers and buyers ask most.
What is the strongest sheet metal?
Titanium tops the chart at 900–1000 MPa tensile, followed by high-strength steel up to about 1100 MPa. Stainless steel is also very strong at 515–800 MPa. The best pick balances strength against weight and cost, so our engineers help you choose.
Which sheet metal resists rust the best?
Stainless steel (304 and 316), titanium, and aluminum all rate excellent for corrosion resistance. Stainless 316 is the go-to for marine and chemical jobs. Plain carbon steel rusts easily, so it usually needs plating or paint to protect it.
Which metal is easiest to bend and form?
Aluminum 3003 and low-carbon steel form very well and take deep bends without cracking. We match the metal to the shape of your part so it fabricates cleanly. Harder or higher-strength grades need larger bend radii.
How tight a tolerance can Meco hold on sheet metal parts?
Fabricated sheet metal typically holds around ±0.10 mm, while precision-machined parts can go much tighter. Tolerance depends on the metal, the thickness, and the process, so we confirm the right target with design-for-manufacturability feedback on every quote.
Which sheet metal is best for electrical parts?
Copper is the top choice for electrical parts because it carries current and heat very well, which is why it is used for bus bars and contacts. Aluminum is a lighter, lower-cost option when the highest conductivity is not required.
Can Meco help me pick the right metal?
Yes. Send us your part and how it will be used, and our engineers give free design-for-manufacturability advice with your quote in under 24 hours. We look at strength, corrosion, forming, and finish before any cutting begins.
Need High‑Quality Metal Sheet Materials?
Discover the ideal metals for your next production run aluminum, steel, brass, and more. Get expert guidance on stamping, forming, and finishing from Meco’s engineering team.
