5 Unique Properties of Beryllium Copper

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on October 9, 2020

Most customers know beryllium copper is valuable based on its price point, but what are the characteristics that make it worthy of its price tag? Below, I'll break down the unique properties that make beryllium copper such a versatile and valuable metal product. 

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.

Safely Loading Metal Coils with a Forklift [How To]

Posted by: Chris Schwartz on September 10, 2019

Loading, transporting, and storing metal coils is pretty standard procedure at a metal service center, but we realize that might not be the case for other businesses, production facilities, and local artists we work with. Still, regardless of frequency, properly transporting metal coils will keep internal employees safe and protect the product from damage. Two things every business wants. In this blog, I’m providing a basic how-to for safely loading and transporting metal coils with a forklift. Let’s get started.

What are the Different Grades of Steel

Posted by: Mike Baufield on July 25, 2019

Steel is a combination of iron and carbon, but did you know there are more than 3,500 different grades of steel? A steel’s grade is determined by the amount of carbon, what other alloys it contains, and the way it has been processed.

Why is Copper the #1 Choice for Electrical Connectors

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on July 9, 2019

For nearly 200 years, copper has been the material of choice for electrical connectors. Copper has been used in electrical wiring since the invention of the electromagnet and the telegraph in the early 1800s, and became even more widespread with the invention of the telephone in 1876. Today, copper electrical connectors are still used in telecommunications, as well as power generation, distribution, and transmission.

All You Need to Know About Steel Alloys

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on March 25, 2019

If you’ve ever wondered what the most commonly used metal in the world is, you might be surprised (or unsurprised for that matter) to find out that it’s steel. Steel is strong and widely used. Many objects that you and I interact with on a regular basis are made of steel. Yet, with its popularity and applicability, many people are relatively unaware of steel’s various properties, intricacies, and uses. If that rings true for you, you'll likely find some interesting information in this post.  

Copper Alloy 110 for Thermal Conductivity

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on February 7, 2019

Copper alloy 110 has the second highest electrical conductivity of all metals. If you’re wondering which metal is at the top, it’s silver. But, you won't see silver wiring in electrical applications. Besides being considerably more expensive, silver lacks copper's other desirable qualities - like ductility and malleability. So, for the majority of applications requiring electrical and thermal conductivity, copper is a popular option.