FAQs
Why High Strength plate?
With the right plate you can manufacture lighter and more advanced products.
Applications: load carrying structures like crane booms, truck frames, bridges, etc.
Why Weldox?
- Reduce weight without sacrificing strength
- The world's leading high strength structural steel
- Consistent strength throughout the plate
- Easily cut, bent, machined and welded
- Blasted and painted from the mill
- Lower or no preheating required for cutting and welding
- Tighter bend radii
- Available in Weldox 700, 900, 960, 1030, 1100, 1300
- Lower weight = Higher Profit
- Always follow manufacturer recommendations when processing the plate
- Please contact your sales rep for more detailed information
Why Abrasion Resistant (AR) plate?
With the right plate you can improve the performance of your product and reduce costly downtime.
Applications: truck boxes, wear strips, cutters, crushers, sieves, cutting edges, chutes, hammers, gears.
Why Hardox?
- Higher Brinell hardness than competitor plates
- Consistent hardness throughout the plate
- Easily cut, bent, machined and welded.
- Blasted and painted from the mill
- Lower or no preheating required for cutting and welding
- Tighter bend radii
- Available in Hardox Hituf, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600 and Extreme (700)
- Always follow manufacturer recommendations when processing the plate
- Please contact your sales rep for more detailed information
Do you have a minimum order?
Yes, we have a $100 minimum order and a $50 delivery charge within Winnipeg.
What process is best - laser, flame or plasma cutting?
Laser cutting
Laser cutting systems have a proven reputation of cutting precise parts with very close tolerances in lighter gauge materials. They were initially designed around gauge material and can now cut up to 1” steel plate, and approximately .5” in stainless and aluminum. The laser cutting process typically uses less consumables than plasma or flame cutting. With high speed repositioning, quick pierces and the automated load / off-load process the laser is a very dynamic and efficient machine. However, the savings in consumables and efficiency is often off-set by the high initial capital cost.
Flame cutting
Flame cutting is an excellent choice for end-users requiring cutting through medium to heavier thicknesses of carbon steel and most alloys. Our flame cutting systems with up to 6 torch heads are advantageous in high production runs up to 6” thick. The flame cutting process is slower than the other cutting systems for piercing and low volumes of parts.
Plasma cutting
Historically, plasma cutting was considered to be a low tolerance cutting process in the medium range thicknesses. However, recent advancements in plasma have made this process a great alternative for both laser and flame cutting. Plasma is faster than flame cutting up to 2” thick steel plate, especially with our dual Hypertherm HyPerformance HPR400XD torch heads. Plasma is now also capable of competing with laser quality in the lighter material with edge quality and holes, in part due to the Hypertherm true hole technology which can now produce bolt ready cylindrical holes.
What is the difference between pipe and tube?
Pipe
Pipe is primarily used for carrying pressurized gas or liquid. It is generally more rigid than tube, often comes with a lacquer finish and is usually produced in heavier wall thicknesses. It is specified by a nominal dimension (which in the past was a true dimension but over time has changed and now has little or no resemblance to the actual dimensions of the pipe). For instance, 1” Schedule 40 pipe has an actual OD of 1.315”, a wall of 0.133", and an inner diameter of 1.049". Pipe fittings are sized to meet pipe sizes, but not tube sizes. For example, nipples for 1" schedule 40 will fit correctly on a 1" schedule 40 pipe, but not on a 1" OD tube.
Tube
Tube refers to round, square, rectangular or any shape of hollow material of uniform thickness which is defined by the actual outside measurement and wall thickness dimensions. Tubing comes in various different types for a variety of applications.
Hollow Structural Tube (HSS) is produced for structural applications. Some steel mills specifically develop structural tube for roll over protective structures.
Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) tube is sometimes referred to as “furniture tube” and comes in a variety of finishes. It is usually used in light duty applications where the finished look is important.
Mechanical Tubing is usually produced as Drawn Over Mandrel (DOM), seamless, or as-welded tube. This material is often used in machined parts, bushings, bearings, rollers, sleeves and cylinders.