What is the Difference Between Tempering and Annealing?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on July 16, 2020

Tempering and annealing are both methods of heat treating metal. The purpose of heat treating is to intentionally alter the physical (and chemical) properties of metal in order to prepare it for manufacturing. Heat treatments can affect many properties of a metal product, including strength, hardness, formability, ductility, malleability, and machinability.

What Exactly is ISO Certified? And Why Does it Matter?

Posted by: Jim Wilber on June 17, 2020

In a global marketplace, checks and balances need to be in place. Otherwise, it would be difficult to maintain consistency and quality across industries and nations. International standards help to keep a level playing field, and one such organization is ISO. 

What Secondary Services Can I Get with My Metal Materials?

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on May 18, 2020

When you’re in the market for metal material the first thing you need to find is a supplier who carries — or is able to source — the type of metal you need. Next, it’s about quantity. Some vendors only deal in larger quantities, making it difficult to source smaller volumes, like five or fifteen pounds. Once you’ve found the material type and the quantity, the next consideration is whether you need sheet or coil and what lengths and widths of materials you require.

We Are Open: Tackling the Challenge of COVID-19 Head On

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on April 29, 2020

Over the past several weeks, the realities of COVID-19 have increasingly occupied our thoughts. The surge in cases across the globe and now here in Minnesota have made us all pause and reflect.  With so much uncertainty, we would like to put your mind at ease.  

How Mead Metals Helped One Customer Solve a Problem [Example]

Posted by: John Ting on March 19, 2020

Nearly a decade ago, a company approached us looking for some material. They were looking for 1095 blue tempered .035 x ½ with a skived edge. They needed just a small amount, and we provided it to them. Over time, they kept coming back and ordering that same material, in the same dimensions and specifications. But something was different. 

How Phosphor Bronze is Used in Classic Car Restoration

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on February 28, 2020

That'll buff right out

For those who participate in the world of classic car restoration, there always comes a time to replace parts on your ride. The companies that provide these parts need the best materials possible. When the time comes for customers to source parts, they find themselves stuck sourcing them and perusing forums of gearheads with a whole lot of opinions. If a customer is looking for brass era car parts or bronze car parts, you can provide them with the best phosphor bronze that Mead Metals has to offer. 

How to Put Bands Around Metal Coils

Posted by: Jim Wilber on January 29, 2020

The Importance of Banding

Before we get into the "how" of steel banding, we should probably talk about what it is and why we do it. Steel coil bands have been around for a long time, and for good reason. Putting bands on metal coil makes the coils easier to handle, prepares them for shipping, and keeps workers safe at the same time. At Mead Metals, we ensure that our coils are properly banded to save our customer time and effort in the future. Whether it's on stainless or cold rolled steel, we usually put metal bands on our products to save you some hassle. 

3 Uses for Spring Steel that Might Surprise You

Posted by: Mike Baufield on January 17, 2020

Need A Guide?

If you're reading this, the chances are that you probably know what spring steel is used for in a general sense. In case you don't, we'll be sure to cover some of the basics with you before we get into some of the more unorthodox ways that it's used by people across the globe. If you're looking for information on the material itself, you can always download our free guides on annealed spring steel and tempered spring steel by following the links for each.

Did You Know: Falconry Bells Are Made from Phosphor Bronze

Posted by: Mike Baufield on December 17, 2019

When you work for a metal vendor, you end up learning a lot. Especially when it comes to different metals and how they’re used. People typically have some grasp on the most common items made from various metals. Some examples include cookware from stainless steel, electrical wires from copper, construction beams from steel, to name a few. But phosphor bronze isn’t a household name like those other materials are. In general, people are less familiar with it and what it goes into. 

How is Stainless Steel Used in the Food Service Industry?

Posted by: Mike Baufield on December 3, 2019

As we’ve covered before, stainless steel has a wide range of uses. And throughout its history, perhaps its most well-known use has something to do with food. Stainless steel cutlery has been around since the 1910s. Stainless steel sinks were first introduced in the 1930s, and stainless steel cooktops and backsplashes date back to the 1940s and 50s. Not to mention stainless steel in the kitchen really became a household name in the late 1980s when General Electric started pushing stainless steel dishwashers, side-by-side refrigerators, and built-in cooking products in TV advertisements and print materials.