Metals Used In the Agriculture Industry

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What Metal is Best for the Agriculture Industry? 

Steel remains the leading material used in agriculture, though its usage differs based on the application. There are many reasons why steel is the best material for agriculture; it is renowned for durability, affordability and strength. Moreover, steel comes in many grades and material thicknesses, enabling you to get the exact performance characteristics required for a particular application. 

Few industries benefit more by the materials from which tools are made than agriculture. An example is John Deere, who revolutionized farming in 1837 by constructing plows from steel rather than cast iron. The switch to steel reduced weight while improving durability, making the practice faster and more manageable.

Now, choosing the best material for an agriculture application is still critical for success. A component made from a material not explicitly suited for an intended operating environment may result in subpar performance or, worse, premature failure.

Alliance Steel takes pride in helping clients get the most from their product or process. In this blog post, we’re diving deep into the metals that can benefit agriculture applications.

Metals Used In the Agriculture Industry

Steel is the best metal for the agriculture industry, which is why most manufacturers still rely heavily on it for the critical components of agriculture equipment. It’s easy to see why, as the material is strong, rugged, environmentally friendly, and affordable. Steel products comes in many grades, shapes, and sizes, enabling engineers to get the desired performance characteristics for a particular use case.

Many agriculture processes occur in environments where exposure to moisture, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperatures is expected. Using carbon steel with a galvanized surface finish is a great way to stand up to these conditions.

Benefits of Galvanized Steel in the Agricultural Industry

Although there are many types of metals used for agriculture applications, hot-dip galvanized steel is commonly used due to its collective strength and resistance to weather at an economical price. Galvanized steel is steel with a zinc coating that defends against degradation. When applied to a material’s surface, the zinc prevents moisture and other elements in the air from corroding the underlying steel.

Hot-dip galvanized steel gets its name from a secondary process. It involves dipping steel into a molten pool of heated zinc, where a metallurgical bond is formed. The result is a surface coating that prevents moisture and other elements in the air from corroding the underlying steel.

Another benefit of galvanized steel is bang for the buck. It’s less expensive than most treated steels and requires minimal maintenance, reducing the need for repairs or replacements. 

Benefts of Galvanizing

The primary benefit of the galvanizing process is versatility. Galvanized Steel can apply it for structural steel plates used to make solid frames for tractors, combines, and tillers, among others, as well as workable steel sheets utilized for bumpers, casings, and housings.

How Does Galvanizing Work

Galvanizing is the process of bonding zinc to a metal substrate to protect the metal from corrosion. The main types of galvanized steel are hot-dip, electrogalvanized, aluminized steel, and galvannealed.

  • Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel -The hot-dip method involves dipping steel into a molten zinc pool. The workpiece must be cleaned beforehand to ensure a quality bond is made between the base metal and the zinc coating. It’s then dipped into a liquid bath of heated zinc, where a metallurgical bond is formed.

  • Electrogalvanized Steel - Electrogalvanization is where a thin layer of zinc is electrically and chemically bonded to steel, protecting against rust and corrosion. The process is perfect for applications where exceptional uniform thickness is paramount.

  • Aluminized Steel -Aluminized steel is carbon steel coated with an aluminum-silicon alloy during the hot-dipped process, which creates a bright appearance and offers heat resistance at a competitive price. High-temperature, corrosion-resistant applications that do not require a high strength-to-weight ratio can benefit from aluminized steel.

  • Galvannealed Steel - Galvannealed steel is carbon steel coated with zinc using the hot-dipped process. The steel is then annealed, converting the zinc into a zinc-alloy coating that offers increased corrosion and scratch resistance.

Steel Uses for Agriculture

Unique performance characteristics make galvanized steel suitable for many agriculture applications, such as:

  • Metal Buildings
  • Fences
  • Wagons
  • Silos
  • Storage Facilities
  • Harvester Components
  • Feeding Equipment
  • Balers
  • Conveyor Systems
  • Milking Machines
  • Seeders
  • Trailers
  • Irrigation Systems
  • Tractor Parts
  • Plow
  • Pesticide Dispensers

Your Source Of Steel for Machinery & Equipment 

Alliance Steel can provide the galvanized steel needed to get the job done no matter what you’re manufacturing and where you’re based. We’re an ISO 9001:2015-certified material supplier and processor capable of quickly and affordably delivering galvanized flat-rolled sheet and coil products in many sizes.

Please contact our team if you need steel but aren’t sure which type is best for your application. With years of experience supplying agriculture equipment manufacturers with flat-rolled sheets and coils, they can help you pick the suitable material for your project.

Agriculture Steel Processing and Manufacturing Services

In the agriculture industry, supply chain optimization is essential. Having to move material between service providers delays production and blows budgets. Alliance Steel strives to support clients in every possible way. Our extensive inventory and fast turnaround times offer many value-added services designed to streamline your supply chain.

Give Us A Call

Whether you’re a significant agriculture manufacturer or a supplier to one, Alliance Steel wants your business. We strive to provide the metal alloys you need with unmatched service, delivery times, and pricing.

Contact us to learn more about steel for agricultural machinery & equipment. We’re happy to discuss your project in greater detail.