Our Industry’s Biggest Bend Test: A Manufacturer’s Reflections on COVID-19
Posted by: Brian Rothstein on September 30, 2020
Whether you’re looking at the industrial level or the individual one, COVID-19 has made a lasting impact. At the beginning of 2020, nobody really knew what the impact would be, and to a degree we still don’t. Undoubtedly, the ways we live and work have changed. I believe every area of industry has a unique story to tell. Here’s an inside look at our experience as a specialty metal vendor located in St. Paul, MN.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
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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.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreHow 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.
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Why is Stainless Steel Not Magnetic?
Posted by: Mike Baufield on October 24, 2019
Many of us have an immediate association when we think about stainless steel — anything from kitchen appliances, medical instruments, components for renewable energy technologies, and building construction may come to mind. When you really think about it, chances are you’ll find something made from stainless steel nearly everywhere you look.
Read MoreWhat are ASTM Standards?
Posted by: Mark Anderson on June 18, 2019
In your experience in the metal industry, you’ve likely come across ASTM standard designations, such as ASTM B194 for beryllium copper or ASTM B103 for phosphor bronze, but did you ever wonder what the “ASTM” stands for? These ASTM standards are crucial to ensure materials are safe and high-quality, performing the way they’re supposed to in your facility and as part of your final product.
Read MoreHow is Brass Used in the Automotive Industry?
Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on June 6, 2019
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and can have many different properties depending on the balance of these two materials. Additionally, brass can include other metals such as aluminum, lead, and arsenic, which will each create a different alloy with its own unique properties.
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How is Beryllium Copper Used in the Consumer Electronics and Telecommunications Industry?
Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on April 9, 2019
Did you know consumer electronics and telecommunications account for nearly half of all beryllium copper (BeCu) alloy consumption? Without it, we wouldn’t be able to communicate and live the way we do. This material is crucial. This cluster of metals goes by many different terms: CuBe and Spring Copper. Beryllium, cobalt, nickel, iron, and lead all make the useful copper alloy — giving it a unique group of properties, such as being highly conductive.
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