Despite being one of the hardest and strongest materials used in the construction and manufacturing industry, steel is also one of the most flexible. This means they can be molded into different shapes and sizes, being used for a wide variety of applications within multiple industries. From steel beams used to establish the foundations of a structure, to steel piping used to move liquids and substances across, steel’s strength and performance make it one of the most important materials today.
What are the types of steel plates used for construction projects?
One of the most popular types of steel products is steel plates, which are slabs of metal with varying thickness. These plates are designed to withstand high impact, extreme temperatures, and strong substances, providing a safe surface for various industrial locations and equipment. Depending on the purpose and type of industry, it is important to select the right type of steel plate in order to have the most effective material available. Here are some of the common types of steel plates used in construction:
Mild Steel Plates
Perhaps the most common type of steel plate available in the market, mild steel plates are used in a wide variety of construction and industrial purposes. A general-purpose material, mild steel plates can be easily welded into place, making them very useful when creating structures and sections. Mild steel plates are also easy to cut and bend into shape, allowing them to be turned into steel structures and equipment. These types of steel plates are very popular in the construction industry, as they are versatile and easy to handle compared to other types of steel materials.
These types of steel plates tend to come in varying thicknesses, which can be around a few millimeters to a few inches depending on the size and purpose. They can also be easily cut by different kinds of tools, which means that you would not need sophisticated equipment to remove sections of the plate.
Checkered Plates
Another common type of steel plate used in the construction industry, checkered steel plates are standard steel plates that have raised angular patterns present on the surface. These angular patterns are designed to help add more grip to the steel surface, making it easier to move around on. This reduces the amount of skid and slippage that can be experienced when moving around items, vehicles, and personnel around a facility, thus improving safety.
With skid resistance surfaces, this makes checkered steel plates ideal for creating walkways and pathways for people and vehicles, ensuring they have safe and secure routes to move around different areas of a facility. These steel plates are also very easy to maintain, as the surface is highly resistant to dust, dirt, oils, and other types of liquids.
Galvanized Sheets
Galvanization is a process that involves putting steel sections into molten zinc, thus adding another layer that helps add more strength to the material. While this is more commonly used in piping, galvanized steel plates are also used for various applications in the construction industry. Like mild steel plates, galvanized plates can be molded and shaped into different forms, creating structures and sections for different kinds of projects.
Compared to standard steel plates, galvanized steel has better strength, having a higher resistance against different kinds of elements and substances. This also means they can last longer, and have high resistance to wear and tear, making them ideal for areas that handle strong substances and varying temperatures.
B.I. and G.I. Sheets
Another type of steel plate that is manufactured using a form of galvanization, B.I. and G.I. steel plates have an extra protective layer that gives them high strength and resistance. These steel plates are carbon plates that are coated with a layer of zinc on both sides. This process is done through the use of dipping molten zinc which is similar to creating steel plates and pipes and also makes use of electro galvanizing. This process is done by running an electric current through zinc, which would be applied to the steel surface. Like galvanized steel plates, B.I. and G.I. steel plates can be used for areas that experience varying temperatures and contain strong substances.
Key Takeaway
Steel plates are one of the most important materials used in the construction industry, being used to create a wide variety of parts and sections that make up the foundation of structures, or even parts of equipment. By identifying these types of steel plates, you would be able to know which one would be the best fit for any type of construction project.