Mead Metals Blog: Metal Industry Information

Stainless Steel vs. Carbon Steel: What’s the Difference?

Posted by: Mark Anderson on January 27, 2023 | 10 min. read

Different Types of Steel

Steel is the most common metal in the world, making it a versatile material for construction, manufacturing, and many other applications. It is a ferrous alloy composed of approximately 99% iron and 1% carbon. The four types of steel are alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, and tool steel — with stainless and carbon being the most used by volume.

What Is Annealing in Metal?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on January 16, 2023 | 3 min. read

As anyone in the metal industry will tell you, not all metals are created equal. But that’s because metals are made differently depending on their unique uses. For example, tempering and annealing are methods of heat-treating metal, but both have their differences when it comes to the desired outcome. 

For the purposes of this article, let's focus on the definition of annealed metal, the process for annealing metal, and how it's used.

ISO Classifications for Workpiece Material Metals

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on November 10, 2022 | 2 min. read

Maintaining consistency and quality is essential across the metal industry. Having a metal supplier who is ISO certified is the key to ensuring quality assurance for your project or process. ISO classifications for workpiece metals inform fabricators and CNC machinists of the proper tools, speeds, and specifications to cut metal materials. Keep reading to learn more about ISO certifications, ISO-certified material, ISO workpiece material groups, and ISO material group classification charts.

How Long Does Copper Last Outside?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on August 31, 2022 | 2 min. read

As many of us in the industry know, Copper (CU) tends to be one of the most sought-after metals for outdoor use. Copper’s properties make it durable and highly resistant to corrosion and weather, allowing it to stand the test of time for hundreds to thousands of years. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why many manufacturers, architects, and construction professionals rely on copper for outdoor applications.

How Market Volatility Affects Steel Prices and What That Means for Order Quantities

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on July 20, 2022 | 3 min. read

If you’ve paid any attention to the news over the past two years, you’ve noticed markets across many industries falling victim to volatility brought on by lagging production and increased demand. Many influences have caused this, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the potential recessions many countries are currently facing. 

Steel is no stranger to fluctuating market conditions, and many fear the possibility of a volatile steel market where demand and price plummet, leaving suppliers with large quantities of steel and nobody to purchase. Let’s look at what market volatility is, what it means to the steel industry, what some of the causes may be, and how it affects demand and price. 

How We Help Our Customers Figure Out What Metal They Need

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on February 28, 2022 | 5 min. read

More often than not, our customers have a pretty clear idea of what types of metal they need. But that's not always the case. Sometimes a customer comes to us asking, “What types of metal will I need for this project?” When we’re faced with that question, it always helps to start at the beginning.

Amazing and Surprising Benefits of Stainless Steel

Posted by: Mark Anderson on February 22, 2022 | 4 min. read

Stainless steel is one of the most widely used metals for construction materials. Due to its strength, versatility, and recyclability, stainless steel is the go-to metal choice for a variety of projects including architecture, landscaping, interior construction, and engineering.

In this article, we’ll discuss what stainless steel is used for, what it’s made of, types of stainless steel (focusing on the 300 and 400-grade series), and the many cost benefits when choosing your construction materials.    

How Do We Handle Metal That Doesn't Meet Our Quality Standards?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on January 11, 2022 | 3 min. read

The quality of your materials often makes or breaks a project. You can’t afford to risk investing time and money in a steel and metal service center that sources from low-quality providers or skimps on quality control measures.

At Mead Metals, quality control and customer satisfaction are our driving purpose. We always prioritize trust and transparency when communicating with clients about our sourcing practices. So here’s an inside look at how we identify, correct, and handle “reject” materials before they have a chance to leave our warehouse.

A Guide to Copper Alloys: Brass vs. Phosphor Bronze

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on January 5, 2022 | 4 min. read

Copper has been valued by mankind for over 10,000 years. Its unique properties, malleability, ductility, and pleasing aesthetic appearance make it a top candidate for a wide variety of purposes. It also makes friends easily by forming to any number of useful alloys and binary compounds. 

Brass and phosphor bronze are two copper alloys that retain many of copper's valuable qualities while holding unique characteristics of their own. Collectively, copper, brass, and bronze are called the “Red Metals.” You may think of these three when picturing old candelabras, light fixtures, and statues. But due to their similarities, many people may find it difficult to tell these metals apart.

So what’s the difference between copper, brass, and phosphor bronze? The infographic below and the accompanying article will answer all the questions you have about the differences between these metals, what they are used for, and how to identify them.

What Metals Are Magnetic?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on November 29, 2021 | 4 min. read

There are three elemental metals that are magnetic: 

• Iron
• Cobalt 
• Nickel