.svg)
Material Grade
The alloy and temper designation of the metal being sheared, such as A36 mild steel, 304 stainless, or 5052-H32 aluminum. Material grade determines blade clearance settings, cutting force requirements, and expected edge quality.
Material grade encompasses both the alloy composition and the temper or hardness state of the metal, and these properties directly influence how the material responds to shearing forces. For example, A36 mild steel is relatively soft and easy to shear cleanly, 304 stainless steel is much stronger and requires higher cutting force and careful blade management, and 5052-H32 aluminum is intermediate in difficulty but produces less burr than steel.
Each material grade has different shear strength characteristics that determine the blade clearance setting, the cutting capacity required, and the expected blade wear rate. Fabricators must specify material grade clearly on shearing quotes and communicate any unusual or difficult materials to the shop floor to ensure proper setup and realistic delivery expectations.
Understanding material properties also helps in selecting whether CNC shearing, laser cutting, or CNC machining is the most economical cutting method for the job.
Price Your Project
Receive a free, custom quote for you project. Midwest Metal Fabrications can handle any job, small or large and is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Certified.