Mead Metals Blog: Steel

What are the Strongest Metals?

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on October 26, 2022 | 4 min. read

What is the strongest metal on earth? It may sound like a simple question, but the answer is quite complex because comparing metals based on strength doesn’t work as you'd think. Why?

For starters, there isn’t a universal scale for strength. At best, there are four. Keep reading to discover these four different types of strength as they relate to metallurgy. From there, you will gain better insight into metals leading the pack in terms of strength.

Tempering Steel

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

Did you know that tempered steel has been around for centuries? In feudal Japan, bladesmiths would make weapons using tempered metal. They would often place clay around parts of a steel sword, stick it into a furnace and then quench the blade in water.

Although the product may look a little different today, tempered steel is just one of the many heat-treated materials offered here at Mead Metals. To truly comprehend tempered steel, it’s important to understand the benefits of heating steel as a method of strengthening metal.

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. 

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.    

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 compare steel grades by measuring the amount of carbon, additional alloys, and how the manufacturer processes them.

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.

Why is Stainless Steel Not Magnetic?

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on October 24, 2019 | 3 min. read

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. 

How is Cold Rolled Steel Used for Home Design and Decor?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on October 8, 2019 | 2 min. read

When you think of steel, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? For a lot of people, their minds go to construction, where steel beams form the foundation of sky-high buildings. Others might first think of the automotive industry, where steel accounts for up to 60% of a vehicle’s total weight. The fact of the matter is steel, in some form or another, is around us much of the time. In our buildings, in our vehicles, and even in our home decor.

All About Steel: Cold Rolled vs. Cold Drawn vs. Hot Rolled

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on August 20, 2019 | 3 min. read

In the steel industry, you may have heard the terms “cold rolled,” “hot rolled,” and “cold drawn.” Understanding how these types of steel are processed, as well as proper applications for each type, is crucial in making sure you are getting the right material for your project. Buying the correct type of steel will save you both time and money, and ensure you are offering the best quality products to your customers.

What is the Difference Between Surgical Steel and Stainless Steel?

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on May 13, 2019 | 2 min. read

It’s not uncommon to wonder about the differences between different types of steel. At least, it’s not uncommon around here. In our industry, understanding the small, unique differences between different steel varieties is big business. After all, choosing the best material for a given application is an important step in any project. In the case of metal materials, the characteristics of different materials will show up when they are cut, bent, punch-pressed, and otherwise processed.