Mead Metals Blog: Metal Products

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. 

Copper Alloy 110 for Thermal Conductivity

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on March 8, 2022 | 2 min. read

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 find silver wiring in electrical applications. In addition to the fact it’s considerably more expensive, silver lacks copper's other desirable qualities such as ductility and malleability. So, for the majority of applications requiring electrical and thermal conductivity, copper is the go-to option.

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 

Why is Copper the Best Choice for Electrical Connectors?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on November 23, 2021 | 3 min. read

For nearly 200 years, copper has been the material of choice for electrical connectors. Since the invention of the electromagnet and the telegraph in the early 1800s, it’s become even more widespread, especially with the invention of the telephone in 1876.

Today, copper electrical connectors are still used in telecommunications, power generation, distribution, and transmission.

What are the Different Grades of Steel?

Posted by: Mark Anderson on November 3, 2021 | 3 min. read

Most people think that steel is just a pre-set combination of iron and carbon, but did you know there are more than 3,500 different grades of steel? You can find a  steel’s grade by measuring the amount of carbon, the other alloys it contains, and the way the manufacturer processes it.

What is an Alloy?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on October 27, 2021 | 4 min. read

A metal alloy is a substance that combines more than one metal or mixes a metal with other non-metallic elements.

For example, brass is an alloy of two metals: copper and zinc. Steel is an alloy of a metallic element (iron) and a small amount — up to 2% — of a non-metallic element (carbon).