Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Metal Shapes Guide & When to Use Them (Bar, Sheet, Tube, or Pipe)

metal shapes guide


There are many different types of metals and alloys, such as steel, copper, bronze, titanium, brass, and aluminum. Each is often used in its own special way, since certain metals are more viable in certain settings than they are in others. And as you are beginning your project, you will need to determine the right metal for the job. This is a very important step as you want to make sure you get the job done right. 


Once your chosen metal is selected, you need to determine its shape. After all, just as there are many applications for metals, there are also many different metal shapes. Let’s take a look at four of the most common - and when you should use them. 

Metal Bars 

Metal bars are easily handled as they are cast in a block of a certain desired shape. They can come in different sizes and meet many different requirements. A few of the most common are: 


  • Flat bars

  • Round bars

  • Square bars

  • Rectangle bars

  • Hex bars

  • Twisted bars


Hollow bars are also another option. As their name suggests, they are bars that are hollowed out in the middle.


Metal bars are most often used in construction, architecture, and heavy industrial applications as they provide a strong and steady reinforcement where needed. 

Metal Sheets

Sheet metal is one of the basic shapes of metal that you can buy. It is metal that is formed into thin, flat pieces of all different sizes. It can easily be manipulated, cut, bent, and welded to meet all sorts of needs - and it is commonly found in the manufacturing of cars and aircraft, agriculture, mining, medical, roofing and construction, and many more areas. 

Metal Tubes

Metal tubes are, well, tubes of metal - just as their name suggests. Unlike rubber or plastic tubing, metal tubes can handle fluid that is highly pressurized, of extreme temperatures, or just requires something strong. Tubes can also handle structural applications. 


Many different types of metal can be transformed into the shape of tubing, with the most common being aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, steel, titanium, and stainless steel. Each application for using the metal tubing will help you determine which type of metal is needed. After all, some do better in wet environments, some are stronger than others, and so forth. 


You will find metal tubing used in various different settings, such as electrical wiring, plumbing, medical devices, architectural design, and even industrial equipment. Metal tubing is often used in applications where stability is important. 

Metal Pipes

Metal pipes are very similar to metal tubes, as they are both designed the same way. Except rather than being used as part of a structure or in the making of certain architectural designs, they are used to transport things like gasses, oil, or water. That means metal pipes do not necessarily require the precise measurements as tubes, for example, but rather need to be able to meet capacity requirements. 

Metal in all Shapes from Atlas Bronze

Regardless of your metal needs, Atlas Bronze has got you covered. If you aren’t sure what you are looking for or what your best options are, our expert team can help. Call us today at 800-478-0887. Or, reach out to use online.

1 comment:

  1. You have given great content here about Custom Tubing. I am glad to discover this post as I found lots of valuable data in your article. Thanks for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete