How To Choose Suitable Sheet Metal Materials?

When choosing sheet metal materials, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the usage environment and performance requirements of the sheet metal box. The following are some reference points:

 

1. Choose according to the usage environment

Ordinary indoor environment: Indoor environments such as homes and offices are generally mild, and the requirements for the corrosion resistance of chassis materials are relatively low. SPCC cold-rolled steel plate can be selected, which has good formability and weldability, good surface quality, can meet the structural strength and appearance requirements of general chassis, and has relatively low cost.

 

Damp environment: such as near the seaside and in environments with high humidity, sheet metal materials need to have good corrosion resistance. Stainless steel materials such as 304 stainless steel can be chosen, which have good corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, effectively preventing rust and extending the service life of the chassis. Alternatively, choose steel plates that have undergone galvanizing treatment. The galvanized layer can provide good protection for the steel plate and prevent water vapor erosion.

 

Dusty environment: In dusty environments such as factory workshops and construction sites, sheet metal boxes need to have good sealing and wear resistance. Consider using aluminum alloy material, whose surface can be treated with anodizing to form a hard oxide film, which not only improves wear resistance but also enhances dust prevention. In addition, the density of aluminum alloy is relatively low, and the weight of the chassis is relatively light, making it easy to install and move.

Electromagnetic interference environment: In some places with dense electronic devices and complex electromagnetic environments, such as communication base stations, electronic laboratories, etc., it is required that the chassis have good electromagnetic shielding performance. Sheet metal materials with electromagnetic shielding properties can be selected, such as electromagnetic shielding steel plates containing nickel iron alloys, or electromagnetic shielding coatings can be sprayed on the surface of ordinary steel plates.

 

2. Select based on performance requirements

Strength requirements: For chassis that need to withstand large external forces or have complex internal structures and install a large number of hardware devices, materials are required to have high strength. High strength cold-rolled or hot-rolled steel plates are a good choice, such as Q235, Q345 and other steels, which have high yield strength and tensile strength, ensuring that the chassis will not deform or be damaged during use. For some special chassis that require extremely high strength, high-strength aluminum alloy or carbon fiber composite materials can also be used, but the latter is more expensive.

 

Heat dissipation requirements: If the hardware devices installed inside the box generate a large amount of heat, the sheet metal material needs to have good heat dissipation performance. Aluminum alloy has good thermal conductivity, which can quickly dissipate the heat inside the chassis, helping to improve the stability and service life of hardware equipment. In addition, in terms of design, the characteristics of aluminum alloy can be combined to adopt structures such as heat dissipation fins and ventilation holes to further enhance the heat dissipation effect.

 

Processing performance requirements: If the design of the sheet metal box is complex and requires a large number of stamping, bending, welding and other processing techniques, it is required that the sheet metal material has good processing performance. SPCC cold-rolled steel plates and some ordinary aluminum alloy materials have good processing performance, which can meet the processing needs of various complex shapes, and the processing cost is relatively low. For some materials with higher hardness, such as high-strength stainless steel, the processing difficulty is greater, requiring more advanced processing equipment and technology, and the cost will also increase accordingly.

 

Appearance requirements: For some cases that require high appearance quality, such as high-end gaming cases, industrial design display cases, etc., it is necessary to choose sheet metal materials with good surface quality and easy processing. SPCC cold-rolled steel plate has a smooth surface and can undergo various surface treatments such as spraying, electroplating, drawing, etc., which can meet different appearance requirements. Aluminum alloy materials can obtain various colors and glossiness through anodizing treatment, with a beautiful and elegant appearance, and good corrosion resistance and wear resistance.