Sheet Metal for Sale

There is a wide range of ways that sheet metal can be cut, from snips, shears, plasma cutting, laser and waterjet cutting to circular, band and jigsaws as well as angle grinders and more sophisticated methods such as oxy-acetylene torches and hydraulic guillotines. Each type of metal cutting can provide a different finish on the cut edge, and you can be certain that the expert team at Aluminium Online know which the best method is to prepare or cut to shape your metal sheeting product. For more information on the cutting of metal sheets read our blog.  

Bending sheet metal is a common technique to shape and form them into the desired products you need to use for your project. There are different techniques used to bend sheet metal and some of the most commonly used of these are:  

• Hand bending – which may use basic hand tools such as hammers, mallets and pliers and this is a simple technique for smaller projects or simple bends. 
• Brake press – a flat surface with a clamping mechanism and precise tool (punch) that presses the metal sheet against a die and can create sharp as well as multiple bends and complex shapes. 
• Roll bending – or rolling or roll forming is used to create cylindrical or curved shapes where the sheet metal is passed through a series of rollers that gradually bend it into the desired curvature.  

Yes, laser cutting is a widely used method for cutting sheet metal as it is a precise and efficient technique that uses a laser beam to cut through various different types of metal sheets. It is precise and versatile as it can be used to cut metal sheets of a wide array of thicknesses. Laser cutting also produces clean, smooth edges which generally won’t need additional finishing. It is an efficient and quick method of cutting metal sheets, and as it can also be automated, it is a very effective method of cutting sheet metal consistently and repeatedly – making it ideal for high-volume production and reducing the chances of human error.  

Sheet metal is manufactured through the process of fabrication, where the selected metal is transformed into sheets through hot or cold rolling mills and then cut into the desired size and shape. Metal can be easily fabricated into sheets of metal as well as other shapes and extrusions, it is an extremely malleable and highly recyclable material that is used for an extraordinarily large range of purposes. 

Sheet metal will rust if it is made of ferrous material, such as carbon steel or iron. However, sheet metal made of aluminium or stainless steel is more resistant to rust owing to its chemical composition. Stainless steel contains a significant amount of chromium which prevents rust and aluminium won’t rust as it naturally forms a protective oxide layer that prevents corrosion. For more information on the rust-resistant properties of aluminium, read our blog.  

There are various places where you can purchase sheet metal, such as home improvement stores, online suppliers and scrap yards or recycling centres, but when you’re purchasing sheet metal it’s important to consider the thickness and finish of the material as well as any unique requirements. A professional supplier of sheet metal, such as Aluminium Online is able to offer cutting, bending, custom fabrication and a range of finishes to make sure your purchase is exactly what you’re needing as well as ensuring that the product you purchase is of the highest grade metal construction.  

Our delivery service extends throughout the nation and includes some worldwide delivery options. So, if you are looking for aluminium extrusions in Sheffield, Birmingham, Leicester, Cardiff or other cities within the UK, we can deliver to you.