Like plastic manufacturing, metal manufacturing largely depends on the type and grade of metal used in production. Some of the more commonly used metals include steel, magnesium, iron, aluminum, copper and nickel, each of which has a different grade. Compared with plastic manufacturing, metal usually has the following advantages:
Heat resistance: metals usually have a high melting point and are unlikely to degrade at high temperatures.
Strength improvement: the metal brand is stronger, harder and more durable than the plastic brand.
Versatility: metals can be manufactured through a wider range of processes, including casting, deep drawing, welding, forging, brazing and chip cutting.
Cost effectiveness: metals are usually a cost-effective option, especially in mass or long-term production.
Although metal processing has many advantages, metal is not the ideal choice for every application. Some disadvantages of metal manufacturing include:
Auxiliary operations: metal processing is more likely to require post-processing processes, such as finishing, painting and deburring, which are time-consuming and expensive.
Design limitations: the viscosity and melt flow behavior of some metals are not suitable for machining highly complex geometries or shapes.
High start-up costs: metal tools are usually more expensive than similar plastic manufacturing tools.