Metal is a common material that surrounds us. It’s vastly used in cars, tanks, building structures, and so much more. A key reason why metal is so prominent is because it’s malleable, allowing for easy configuration. This process is known as metal fabrication or the “process of building machines and structures from raw metal materials. The process includes cutting, burning, welding, machining, forming, and assembly to create the final product.” The ability to create nearly anything with metal makes it an incredibly useful material ideal for many projects.
Plate metal is a durable option
One of the more common metals used in fabrication is plate metal. It’s similar to the more commonly known sheet metal, only thicker. By definition, plate metal is any sheet of metal at least 6 millimeters thick. Fabricators use it in a huge variety of applications; however, it’s most valuable for projects that require durability and strength over “saving weight.”
Fabricators often form custom tanks out of plate metal. In general, this happens in a complex three step process.
- They cut rudimentary tank shapes from metal.
- They then mold initial plates to meet tank design specifications.
- Finally, they weld or fasten the plates together.
Fabricators create tanks specifically to properly store, transport, manufacture, or protect the contents they will hold.
Custom builds for custom projects
Experts create tanks through custom plate metal fabrication processes using a variety of materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, and a variety of specialty alloys, depending on the properties of tank contents. Professionals in different industries use tanks in a variety of ways, including transportation, chemical production, public management, and manufacturing. This means tanks can hold many different materials or liquids. Engineers must specifically formulate the metal alloys they use in fabrication to safely and effectively handle the caustic, flammable, or toxic materials the tanks will hold — without corroding or breaking down.
By investing in custom built tanks sourced through plate metal fabrication, you can enjoy added benefits and security, two of which include
- meeting your operation’s size and shape needs, and
- increasing durability by utilizing the proper metal alloys necessary to confine your specific tank contents.
It might be an upfront investment, but you can save time and money as well as prevent potential environmental and health hazards by implementing tanks properly designed for your operations.
At Moon Fabricating Corporation, we’re dedicated to safety, quality, dependability, and reliability in our custom tank fabrication projects. With nearly 100 years in the business, we provide custom fabrication services for those requiring industrial tanks, ductwork, stacks, and process equipment. Our highly trained custom plate metal fabricators can build to your specifications using carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or specialty alloys specific to your needs.
In addition to aiding you in your custom fabricating needs, at Moon Fabricating, we can also install tanks at your business or project locations. We know exactly how to structurally integrate your tanks on site and provide proper support systems to safely anchor them.