When it comes to talking about some of the different materials that we often see used in manufacturing, the possibilities are very much endless. This can make things tough for different manufacturing businesses, given the creator will likely have an end-product in mind but then will find out later down the line that the material choice is incorrect. When this happens, it can lead to negative effects, such as production delays and an overall loss of sales. As such, if you are going to manufacture something, it’s important that you are thinking long and hard about your choice of material and making an informed decision.
What Is the Best Way to Pick a Material?
If you are struggling to pick a manufacturing material to use, then the best thing you can do is thoroughly design your end product. This means not only how you want it to look, but the processes involved in making it and subsequently, what tools are going to be necessary for this production. For instance, if you need to shape something and will need hot air heaters to do so, you are going to need a material that can withstand this increase in heat, such as a metal or a specific kind of plastic. Once you have thoroughly planned out the process, you can rest easy knowing you have the right materials to hand, and the likelihood of delays is lessened.
What Are Standard Materials Used in Manufacturing?
So, what are some of the most common materials that you are likely to find in manufacturing? They include but are not limited to the following:
- Polymers
Polymers, at a molecular level, are made up of many tinier units. These can either be synthetic or natural and are cheap, easy to source and simple to work with. Some downsides come with using polymers, which include lower quality present in results, plus they have less heat capacity and they’re less durable.
- Metals
Metal, as you probably already know, is usually quite shiny and lustrous. It’s great for currents given it’s an excellent conductor of electricity. Plus, it is very malleable. Some common forms of metal that are used in manufacturing include aluminium, steel, tin, bronze, and copper. The benefit to using metal is that the results are high quality, it’s a lot more durable, and it’s a lot more resistant to extreme temperatures. That being said, it costs more and it’s a lot harder to work with, so this might not be the right material if you are operating on a strict budget.
- Ceramics
Ceramics are non-metallic materials, they are formed using high heat and consist of the likes of cement, glass, clay, stoneware, and porcelain. There are several reasons why different manufacturing companies turn to ceramics, for instance, they are robust and good for electrical insulation, they can be bought at a relatively cheap price and they’re lightweight. That being said, cracking is always a possibility when you use them and processing them can also be quite challenging for a lot of companies.
