Do you know that while raw metal has a reputation for being strong, it still has to go through tensile tests? Yes, everything has to be perfect for metals being used in various industries, including the energy sector.
If you look at the energy sector’s buildings and structures, there is no doubt that metal is part of them. Experts subject metal to tensile sample preparation equipment to ensure that it is durable.
Metal, after all, is everywhere and is used for various roles. However, metal fabrication’s role in the energy sector is more than what meets the eye. It goes deeper than mere preference.
What is metal fabrication?
Before answering the main question on how metal fabrication is associated with the energy sector, we need to first answer what metal fabrication is.
It is the process of building structures and machines from metal. Raw metal must undergo various formation and fusing methods through burning, cutting, machining, welding, etc. Even the assembly of metal parts is included in this process.
From the very term “fabrication,” we can tell that the purpose is to create a final product out of metal. The raw metal goes through various processes to achieve products used for construction.
Some people may think that welding in itself is equivalent to metal fabrication. However, it is only one of the possible ways in which metal fabrication can be achieved. It may only be one of the steps.
A major step performed in metal fabrication is tensile test sample preparation.
What are some possible metal fabrication projects?
Metal fabrication involves all the steps that a factory must follow to complete the project. Projects include anything that requires metal, such as machinery, equipment, tools, and even manufacturing parts, such as nuts, bolts, and screws.
Think of all the possible things that you can make out of metal. Then, list the potential steps you must go through to produce them. The steps are all part of metal fabrication.
To make things easier, a tensile test sample preparation machine is used to ensure that the metals are duarable enough.
What are jobs associated with metal fabrication?
People employed in the metal fabrication industry include welders, blacksmiths, solderers, assemblers, machinists, ironworkers, boilermakers, and other workers who can fashion raw metal into final products.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has cited about a million and a half workers involved in the industry of metal fabrication. While we may mostly think about skilled workers, we must also consider supervisors and team managers. They do help in making things happen.
How does this industry pave the way for the future?
The metal fabrication industry is finding ways to meet consumer demands in today’s economy.
Because of technological advancement and the modernization of industries, the demands for more solid metalwork are increasing. Machinery design continues to improve and become more sophisticated. Therefore, factories need to keep up and provide clients with continuously evolving work.
Therefore, metal fabrication continues to grow by keeping up with demands and meeting target profits while producing high-quality output.
Where does the energy sector come into play?
Most sectors now need a part of the metal fabrication industry. A sector will need some raw metal converted into the final product for building structures alone.
Within the energy sector, wind and solar plants must be built. They are required to distribute and store solar energy, for example.
Metal fabrication has a wide range. After all, industries must go through this process to produce the parts that make the significant whole. The energy sector will not be able to perform its duties to the community without metal.
In fact, some metal fabrication companies focus merely on providing services for the energy sector.
Here are some energy sector applications of metal fabrication:
- Building the power plants
- This process requires durable and precise components. The fabricated metals must have high-quality parts that can meet industry standards. Power plants are power-generation equipment and cannot be treated with less care and precision.
- Extracting fuels
- To extract fuel, you need durable and high-quality metal pipelines and sites. The turbines must also be made of non-corrosive materials.
- Refining
- You need highly durable metal parts that can survive corrosive conditions. So, you need stainless steel and its alloys to make this energy sector process happen without any problems.
- Gas and oil applications that involve the extraction, storage, and transportation
- Wear-resistant metal components of high quality are the only options you must choose when dealing with all gas and oil processes. Heavy-duty metal fabrication must be performed to make them happen.
- Distribution of energy
- Finally, distribution to the structures that require energy will need robust metal pipelines.
Metal fabrication certainly contributes to several processes in the energy sector. However, it also goes beyond just helping energy to get distributed.
When the process is done right and with the proper materials, it also contributes to the use of clean energy. Steel fabrication can also contribute to the green energy industry. It helps the energy sector to facilitate environmentally-friendly power.
Not only is renewable energy becoming more critical to the world today, but it is also becoming a profitable industry.
Here are some ways in which metal fabrication helps various green energy:
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the most popular type of green energy. It is also the fastest-growing. For example, steel is necessary to manufacture the solid and dense materials required for building solar panel frames. It is also used to build tanks, pumps, and other parts that help store and distribute solar energy.
Wind Energy
Another popular type of green energy that can be distributed with the help of metal fabrication is wind energy. More likely than not, wind turbines are manufactured from steel. At least 80% of raw materials are steel because the metal’s non-corrosive properties can make the turbines last longer.
With more durable materials, the energy sector can save more money that may be used for maintenance costs.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is still mostly untapped but has been put to good use. Its extreme heat requires tools that have stainless steel, steel alloys, and iron casting. Corrosion-resistant materials are preferable in this case. You need them for the filters, valves, pipes, and other parts needed to distribute geothermal energy.
Tidal Energy
Tidal energy is growing to be an essential renewable energy source. The tidal turbines require something both non-corrosive and strong. The strength of steel can help make hydroelectricity happen since it can support concrete dams.
So, what part does metal fabrication play in the energy sector?
Metal fabrication:
- Helps in making energy storage and distribution happen
- Facilitates other processes required to raise the quality of fuel
- Puts the energy sector right into the 21st century
- Saves money that could have been used on maintenance and replacement by providing high-quality materials
- Helps in keeping the energy distribution processes energy-efficient and environmentally friendly
- Creates custom-made designs that fit the company’s specific needs
While metal fabrication’s role in the energy sector is nothing new, it has been there for several decades. It continues to rise with the people’s needs. It is flexible enough to consider the current needs of not only the people, but also of the society and the environment.
The growing need and use of new types of energy also provide new opportunities for the sector. They require companies that provide metal fabrication to design new panels, turbines, and other objects that make storage, control, and distribution possible. These new requirements increase the companies’ opportunities to expand and improve their craft.
Tensile sample preparation is always included in the processes. After all, raw metal must withstand corrosive materials when used in the energy sector.
Safety is always a top priority in metal fabrication for the energy sector. Tensile sample preparation equipment must then be used.
