Everywhere you look chances are you are looking at something with structural steel. From skyscrapers to short-term temporary structures, there is steel framing and structural steel in pretty much every building you’re going to enter, no matter where in the world you may be. Steel fabrication is what makes these and thousands of other buildings possible.
What is Metal Fabrication?
In broad terms, metal fabrication refers to any process that cuts, shapes, or molds metal into a final product. Fabrication is used for custom and stock products and creates a finished product from raw or semi-finished materials. The latter usually refers to galvanized steel. A fabricator will use stock metal such as sheet metal, metal rods, metal billets, and metal bars to produce a new product.
With fabrication done by welding, two or more pieces are joined together using a combination of heat and pressure. Welding is a favored process, because the metals can be any shape or size, which makes it ideal for creating specialized pieces. The four most popular welding techniques are: stick/Arc, M.I.G., TIG, and Flux Cored Arc.
Fabricated Steel is Favored in Construction
Construction is one of the toughest industries in the world. Intricate building designs must remain structurally sound for centuries in even the harshest environments. Therefore, the materials used in the construction industry must pass stringent tests to ensure their reliability, along with their durability. That is why steel fabrication is preferred by most architects and foremen.
Fabrication can produce a durable and weather resistant product that is aesthetically pleasing. Fabricated steel is structurally sound and produced to strict specifications. It is also energy efficient and completely recyclable, thus making it a sustainable material to use. Because steel does not buckle, twist, bend, or warp, it is equally cost-effective and easily modified. Steel is also better for the environment because it is produced under controlled conditions with little to no construction waste.
Where is Steel Fabrication Used Most Often?
This type of steel is used in high-rise buildings because of its strength, low weight, and faster construction times. The construction of industrial buildings and warehouses is another place where you can find structural steel because it allows for the building of an ample space at lower costs.
Steel is a common and popular component in construction because it allows for longer service life and can easily be recycled into new steel. Steel also does not lose any of its properties the more it is recycled, which is why it can be classified as 100% recyclable. Because steel is easy to dismantle, its use in temporary structures is favorable.
Vic’s Welding Co., LLC. is a licensed, insured welding and steel fabrication company that is “U” and “R” stamp shop certified through ASME/National Board. Our company has been serving residential and commercial clients in the Valley since 1996. We offer emergency and scheduled maintenance, fabrication, repairs, and modernization.
We supply all consumables, including welding rod, oxygen, and acetylene. Contact us today for more information on steel fabrication or to schedule an appointment with one of our A.W.S. and ASME Certified welders at (623) 925-5695.