Metal Components
When partnering with National Metal Distribution Inc., customers in a wide array of industries have access to an extensive collection of metal fabrication services, a network of quality suppliers, and an expert team backed with over 10 years of experience.
While high-quality performance in metal components is paramount, we also understand the importance of metal fabrication materials in producing that quality workmanship. For that reason, National Metal offers numerous types of metals to best suit your unique application.
Learn more about the various metals and services we supply and partner with a team that can work with you to determine the best material and metalworking technique for your project.
Metal Capabilities
At National Metal, we have a deep understanding of metal manufacturing processes, which makes us uniquely suited to help you find the right solution for your needs. We know that each fabrication method has its unique benefits and costs, and we work closely with you to determine which method is ideal for your application. Our metal capabilities include:
Chamfering
Chamfering is utilized to create a bevel, groove or furrow to ensure the metal component falls within its intended use specifications. Often used when specifications call for cutting symmetrical and consistent groves.
Chamfering is utilized to create a bevel, groove or furrow to ensure the metal component falls within its intended use specifications. Often used when specifications call for cutting symmetrical and consistent groves.
CNC Machining
Computer numerical control (CNC) machining uses specialized software to accurately control the machinery and its tooling to remove material from a metal stock to create the desired part or component.
Computer numerical control (CNC) machining uses specialized software to accurately control the machinery and its tooling to remove material from a metal stock to create the desired part or component.
Drilling and Tapping
Drilling and tapping are used to create holes of specific diameters and depths using a specialized drill head or tap. Standard drilling creates a smooth hole, while tapping creates a threaded hole. We are tooled for both American standard and international metric threads.
Drilling and tapping are used to create holes of specific diameters and depths using a specialized drill head or tap. Standard drilling creates a smooth hole, while tapping creates a threaded hole. We are tooled for both American standard and international metric threads.
Fabrication
Fabrication is a categorical term that refers to all methods of cutting, milling, shaping, bending, stamping, forging, or molding metals to create a part or finished product. Fabrication methods can create products from raw materials and partially completed workpieces.
Fabrication is a categorical term that refers to all methods of cutting, milling, shaping, bending, stamping, forging, or molding metals to create a part or finished product. Fabrication methods can create products from raw materials and partially completed workpieces.
Flame Cutting
Flame cutting is a thermal process that uses oxygen and a fuel source to create enough energy to melt and sever material. Very helpful in cutting very thick materials.
Flame cutting is a thermal process that uses oxygen and a fuel source to create enough energy to melt and sever material. Very helpful in cutting very thick materials.
Forming
Forming refers to reshaping metal without melting the material. This allows molded products to maintain their structural integrity and strength. Since forming is conducted without melting the metal, material handling is less complex than other methods.
Forming refers to reshaping metal without melting the material. This allows molded products to maintain their structural integrity and strength. Since forming is conducted without melting the metal, material handling is less complex than other methods.
Machining and Precision Machining
Machining refers to subtractive metal manufacturing that removes material from a base stock or sheet to create a finished product. Precision machining is often completed using CNC technology. Machining processes include cutting, milling, sawing, and drilling.
Machining refers to subtractive metal manufacturing that removes material from a base stock or sheet to create a finished product. Precision machining is often completed using CNC technology. Machining processes include cutting, milling, sawing, and drilling.
Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting is a melting process in which a jet of ionized gas at above 20,000°C is used to cut through a material to obtain a desired design. Typically used when working with a wide range of electrically conductive alloys that include stainless steels, aluminum alloys, nickel alloys and titanium.
Plasma cutting is a melting process in which a jet of ionized gas at above 20,000°C is used to cut through a material to obtain a desired design. Typically used when working with a wide range of electrically conductive alloys that include stainless steels, aluminum alloys, nickel alloys and titanium.
Plate Grinding
Plate Grinding is a cutting/finishing method that involves the use of a grinding wheel to abrasively machine the material you wish to cut or finish.
Plate Grinding is a cutting/finishing method that involves the use of a grinding wheel to abrasively machine the material you wish to cut or finish.
Plate Laser Cutting
Plate laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to vaporize materials in order to obtain its required specifications. This technology usually leads to increased accuracy ( accurate to one nanometer) and has the ability to cut through various materials (metal, wood, paper etc.).
Plate laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to vaporize materials in order to obtain its required specifications. This technology usually leads to increased accuracy ( accurate to one nanometer) and has the ability to cut through various materials (metal, wood, paper etc.).
Precision Sawing
Precision sawing allows us to quickly cut to size bar, channel, extrusions or other long material as complete to print or a pre-machining operation.
Precision sawing allows us to quickly cut to size bar, channel, extrusions or other long material as complete to print or a pre-machining operation.
Press Brake/Forming
Press Brake or brake forming is a metal deformation process that uses a machine pressing tool (press brake) to clamp the metal piece between a punch and die set for prearranged bending. This is used to align pieces of sheet or plate metal along an axis. Used to construct components from a single sheet of material.
Press Brake or brake forming is a metal deformation process that uses a machine pressing tool (press brake) to clamp the metal piece between a punch and die set for prearranged bending. This is used to align pieces of sheet or plate metal along an axis. Used to construct components from a single sheet of material.
Production Sawing
Production Sawing is a machining process primarily used to part material such as rough cutting excess material away before machining or cutting patterns in sheet metal. Produces fast, accurate and consistent bundle and single cuts.
Production Sawing is a machining process primarily used to part material such as rough cutting excess material away before machining or cutting patterns in sheet metal. Produces fast, accurate and consistent bundle and single cuts.
Punching
Punching uses a high-pressure press and a die to create holes in a sheet or blank. Depending on the design, the punched part could be removed and subsequently tapped or CNC finished.
Punching uses a high-pressure press and a die to create holes in a sheet or blank. Depending on the design, the punched part could be removed and subsequently tapped or CNC finished.
Riveting
Riveting is a type of forging that creates a joint between two component pieces. The pieces are held together by a long, smooth piece of metal called a rivet.
Riveting is a type of forging that creates a joint between two component pieces. The pieces are held together by a long, smooth piece of metal called a rivet.
Shear Cutting
Shear Cutting is is a process that cuts material without the formation of chips or the use of burning or melting. This process utilizes cutting blades that are straight and are commonly used for shearing sheet metal or plates.
Shear Cutting is is a process that cuts material without the formation of chips or the use of burning or melting. This process utilizes cutting blades that are straight and are commonly used for shearing sheet metal or plates.
Stamping
Stamping is similar to punching, but rather than creating holes, this process indents the sheet or blank in the shape of the die. Stamping uses compressive force to stamp shapes, images, letters, and numbers onto metal components.
Stamping is similar to punching, but rather than creating holes, this process indents the sheet or blank in the shape of the die. Stamping uses compressive force to stamp shapes, images, letters, and numbers onto metal components.
Welding
Welding is a metal manufacturing process that joins two pieces together using heat and pressure. It is a highly versatile method that can be used on pieces of any size and shape, which makes it one of the most popular methods for joining metal parts.
Welding is a metal manufacturing process that joins two pieces together using heat and pressure. It is a highly versatile method that can be used on pieces of any size and shape, which makes it one of the most popular methods for joining metal parts.
Water Jet Cutting
Water Jet Cutting is a cutting technology using an extremely high-pressure jet of water used to cut through materials such as metal, stone or glass. This is used when specifications require material to be cut in a way where the material will not be exposed to high temperatures and allows metals to be cut without warping, affecting tempers, or changing intrinsic properties.
Types of Materials
Metal is a highly versatile material, and metal manufactured components vary widely in their complexity and application. National Metal Manufactures numerous types of metal to give products optimal strength, conductivity, hardness, and resistance to corrosion.
Our materials can consist of:
Aluminum
With good strength capabilities, particularly given its lightweight, this durable metal will not rust or otherwise degrade in water. It doesn’t maintain optimal functionality at high temperatures; however, it is suitable in extremely cold conditions, and its electrical and thermal conductivity makes it useful for aerospace, freshwater marine, and certain appliance or refrigeration applications.
Brass
Brass is a non-sparking, durable zinc and copper alloy that is commonly found in pipe fittings, knobs, furniture hardware, and bolts. It is also a safe material to use in the presence of flammable substances.
Bronze
Bronze is an alloy that has copper as its base metal and some degree of tin or other metals like aluminum, manganese, nickel, and zinc. This durable metal is usually used to manufacture bearings, springs, weapons, armor, turbines, and cookware.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is an alloy containing steel and varying amounts of carbon. High carbon levels equate to high material strength, with lower levels resulting in increased malleability. Manufacturers use this metal for different mechanical and structural components as well as tools.
Cast Iron
Cast iron is a term used for a family of alloys who's primary alloying element is iron. Used in applications that require hardness and abrasion resistance and are less concerned about structural properties. The predominantly iron alloy must have over 2% carbon for it to be considered cast iron. This material is used in automotive parts, machinery and cookware.
Copper
This is a malleable and durable metal with a high level of electrical conductivity. Rather than rust, it can develop an oxidized patina that protects the copper from further corrosion. Common uses include water pipes, fixtures, electronics, and various marine applications.
Drill Rod
A drill rod is a form of bar stock machined to produce tools such as drill bits, taps , dowel pins, shafts, reamers, files, punches and hammers.
Expanded Metal
Expanded metal is sheet product that has been slit and stretched to a wide array of diamond shaped openings. Applications include security, flooring, walkways, shelving etc.
Flat Ground Stock
Ground Flat Stock is alloyed steel manufactured into strips and precision ground to insure that four sides are bright, clean, and free of defects. This material has many uses and some applications include tools and dies, gauges, punches, knives, saws, and surgical equipment.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has an attractive, glossy silver finish. These steel alloys incorporate, depending on the exact type, carbon, chromium, silicon, sulfur, titanium, nickel, copper, selenium, niobium, and molybdenum, resulting in a highly corrosion-resistant material with better strength than regular steel. Medical tools, appliances, kitchenware, and more make use of this metal.
Zinc
A metal with a fairly low melting point, zinc is ideal for casting and recycling. Once it’s melted, zinc flows well, and manufacturers commonly apply it as a coat for different metals, especially in galvanizing iron and steel.
