

How Are Metal Shapes Made?

Metal shapes can be designed and manipulated through a large number of processes which are grouped into categories. They are casting processes, joining and assembly processes, deformation processes, material removal processes, heat treating processes, and finishing processes.

  • Casting processes involve pouring molten metal into a mold cavity where, once solid, the metal takes the shape of the cavity. Continuous casting processes allow continuous production of stock shapes.
  • Deformation processes include metal forming, roll forming, extrusion, forging, and sheet metalworking processes. They use plastic deformation, where deformation is induced by external compressive forces exceeding the yield stress of the material.

Selection Criteria

Selection of metal shapes and stocks is usually based first on a design’s required size and shape, and then on either material types or grades as certain design specifications or application constraints require. Substitute materials can be selected and qualified based on the required material properties. Laboratory, performance, or field testing is used to verify performance in some cases.

Sizes and Shapes

The GlobalSpec SpecSearch Database contains the ability to select parts based on shapes and dimensions. Dimensions include overall thickness, gauge thickness, overall width or outer diameter (OD), secondary width, overall length, and inner diameter (ID). Shapes, among others, include sheets, profiles, squares, rods, and channels.

Types of Metals and Alloys

The GlobalSpec SpecSearch Database contains information and listings for different metals and alloys. Each can be classified as either a ferrous or non-ferrous metal.

  • Ferrous metals and alloys are metals containing iron as the base metal in the alloy. The most common types of ferrous metals are steels such as stainless steel, carbon steel, tool steel, alloy steel, maraging steel, or specialty steels. They are used in countless applications as construction materials, medical devices, tools, magnetic cores, wires, and in the aerospace, military, and medical fields. For more detailed information on the individual types of ferrous metals, please visit GlobalSpec’s “Ferrous Metals and Alloys” Learn More page or search for a specific metal or alloy of interest.
  • Non-ferrous metals and alloys are metals that do not incorporate iron as the base metal. These include copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, titanium, precious metals, low-melting metals, and refractory metals. They have use in countless applications from simple commercial-use in plumbing to cutting-edge designs in the aerospace and nuclear industries. For more detailed information on individual types of non-ferrous metals, please visit GlobalSpec’s “Nonferrous Metals and Alloys” Learn More page or search for a specific metal or alloy of interest.

Important Mechanical Properties


