Manufacturers construct sheet metal out of a few different types of material. Galvanized is the most common one we hear of because it’s used in the forming of HVAC ductwork systems. You’ll also hear of iron, stainless steel, or laminated steel. These metals are more typical with parts created for the automotive and manufacturing industries.
Besides ductwork, we use sheet metal in various:
- Machining parts
- Body panels on vehicles
- Toolboxes
- Transformers
You can find pieces created from sheet metal in airplanes, military vehicles, railroad cars, holding tanks, and even in electrical components. Sheet metal is found in just about any industry.
Differences between Galvanized sheet metal and other metals
Galvanized metal is dipped in a coating of a specially formulated zinc mixture to help protect the steel from corrosion. Ductwork pipes and fittings are exposed to some moisture, so care must be taken to ensure rust doesn’t occur within the HVAC system. If it did, the duct pieces would fail as air would be allowed to escape, causing the heating/cooling appliance to work harder than necessary to reach the desired air temp in the home. This would cause the unit to have a shorter life span, as well as cost you more money on your energy bills.
Other materials, like stainless steel, can also be corrosive-free, but it’s not feasible to use them for ductwork due to the costs of production and its lack of pliability. Galvanized metal is more cost-efficient and its material works perfect for forming into specially designed elbows bent to certain measurements of degrees. It can also manufacture it to the right gauge for a ductwork application, which is why galvanized metal is the number one choice for HVAC systems.
Forming galvanized sheet metal into ductwork pipes and fittings takes a certain skill and knowledge for the correct shapes. Proper measurements are necessary for the pieces to work efficiently. Bends need to be at the right angles, and all pieces need to fit together snugly. If anything is just a tad bit off, the duct system won’t work properly and it could cost you more money down the road. We offer high-quality ductwork pipe fabrication services to ensure you get the most efficient air vent duct system possible for your heating/cooling unit. For more information about ductwork sheet metal or to have an order of fittings filled call us at 408-295-2182.