Mead Metals Blog: Metal Information

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. 

Use These Basic Tests to Identify Metal

Posted by: Jim Wilber on April 14, 2022 | 5 min. read

The most important part of a metal-based project is knowing the exact materials you’re working with. Whether you’re determining which metal to use or trying to order more of an unknown metal you already have, accuracy is essential. 

What Is Minimum Order Quantity in Metal Manufacturing?

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on April 14, 2022 | 5 min. read

If you’ve spent any time in the metal supply industry, you may have noticed three letters strung together: MOQ, or “minimum order quantity.”

It’s a phrase we use often. But what does MOQ mean in manufacturing? And how does Mead Metals’ MOQ policy benefit you?

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 

What is the Difference: Tempering vs. Annealing?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on November 16, 2021 | 3 min. read

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 to get it ready for manufacturing. Heat treatments can affect many properties of a metal product, including strength, hardness, formability, ductility, malleability, and machinability.

How is Cold Rolled 1008/1010 Steel Used in the Construction Industry?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on September 20, 2021 | 3 min. read

If you were to make a list of all the metals used in construction applications, that list would get pretty long, pretty fast. Metals are a choice building material for those looking to create strong, long-lasting structures that are both durable and sustainable. And steel fits that bill perfectly.