A metal is a substance that has a shiny look when freshly processed, polished, or shattered, and conducts electricity and heat quite effectively. Typically, metals are malleable (they can be hammered into thin sheets) and ductile (can be drawn into wires). These characteristics are the result of the metallic bond that exists between the metal’s atoms or molecules. Metal can be a chemical element like iron, an alloy like stainless steel, a molecular complex like polymeric sulfur nitride, or any combination of these.
Metals are chemical elements that make up 25% of the crust of the Earth and are used in many areas of modern-day life. Because of their durability and strength, various metals are frequently used in the construction of high-rise buildings and bridges, as well as in the majority of automobiles, household appliances, tools, pipelines, and train tracks. In the past, precious metals were used as currency, but in the present, coinage metals include at least 23 chemical elements.
Why Calculate Metal Weight?
When choosing a material for the metal project, The following points are considered budget, performance, and looks of the metal. This means several factors must be considered, including the material’s strength, corrosion resistance, and malleability.
One of the most important considerations, however, is weight, as it affects numerous factors from cost to movability. Further, we will learn how to calculate the weight of the metal used in a project based on the type and amount of metal intended to use.
Calculating the metal weight is similar to calculating the weight of any other sort of material to determine the weight of any type of metal product, including beams, various types of profiles, bars, tubes, pipes, and sheets. The metal’s volume (cu. in, cu. mm, cu. cm, etc.) and density (often in g/cm3, oz/in3) must be known. The weight of the metal is obtained by multiplying the two.
How to Calculate Metal Weight?
It is easy to calculate the weight of the metal project, the following steps are involved in the process.
Step 1: Determine the Sectional Area (S)
Finding the metal product’s cross-area section’s should be the first step. This may be done simply by multiplying the width of the cross-section by its height.
Step 2: Determine the Length (l)
Measure the total length of the metal product.
Step 3: Determine the Density (ρ)
The product’s density, which is defined as its mass per unit of volume, is the third measurement to be determined. Consider a substance that has a density of 7.5 g/cm3, it signifies that there are 7.5 grams of mass in every cubic centimeter of the substance.
A density table should be used to determine the metal’s density before choosing it. Some metals are available in various grades, each of which has a unique density. For instance, depending on the quality, stainless steel has a density that ranges from 7.7 to 8 g/cm3.
Sep 4: Calculate the Weight
Calculate the weight of the metal using the following formula after gathering the data of its sectional area, length, and density.
To calculate the metal weight we need to multiply the Volume (V) of the metal by its Density (ρ). And the volume of different metal shapes is the multiplication of their Cross-Sectional Area (S) by their Length (L).
Metal Weight = Volume (V) x Density (ρ)
= Sectional Area (S) x Length (l) x Density (ρ)
Importance of Calculating the Weight of Metal
The weight of the metal in a project can be required for several reasons, along with the following factors.
- Weight affects the cost: The price of raw materials is set per pound or per hundred pounds. It will cost more if there is the use of denser metal.
- Weight affects movability: Lifting metal items is a regular task, and the lifting machine may have a weight restriction. Consider the weight capacity while selecting the metal. By doing this, one may prevent risky circumstances like machine overturns and worker injuries.
- Weight affects shipping costs: Additionally, heavier materials will cost more to transport. The cost of delivery increases with product weight. Making sure the product is of a specific weight helps in avoiding expensive costs and maintaining the budget.
Materials used for Metal Projects
Weight is a critical requirement when selecting the correct metal, but there are many other aspects to take into account as well, including the hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance of the metal.
- Steel: Due to its great durability, steel is a material that is highly valued in the building sector. Steel can be the greatest option if you need welding flexibility but are on a restricted budget.
Additionally, steel has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and is sufficiently malleable to acquire almost any shape. Steel is the material of choice for numerous sectors, from weapons to support beams. Common carbon steel has a density of 7.85 g/cm3. To determine the weight of steel for relevant metalworking jobs, use a steel weight calculator. When working with metal sheets rather than rods or tubes, a steel sheet metal weight calculator is also useful.
- Stainless Steel: It offers a high level of corrosion resistance, and stainless steel is frequently utilized in large-volume metal manufacturing. It is also well known for being appealing and simple to clean, which allows for its extensive usage in anything from kitchen appliances to medical equipment.
Stainless steel’s density varies depending on the grade, ranging from 7.7 g/cm3 for 0Cr13 to 8 g/cm3 for 3Cr13Ni7Si2.
- Copper: Due to its beautiful polish and electrical conductivity, copper is a significant metal in contract manufacturing. Copper is frequently used in metal fabrication industries due to its malleability and resistance to corrosion. Copper is frequently used in bathroom fixtures and marine equipment. Pure copper has a density of 8.9 g/cm3.
- Brass: Brass is more affordable than copper and is frequently used because of the way the metal performs in high-temperature settings. Brass is a great material for hardware parts and automobile parts because it resists electricity and can withstand friction and sparks. Depending on the grade, brass has a density that ranges from 8.5 to 8.8 g/cm3.
Solved Problems on Metal Weight
Problem 1: A Stainless Steel 422 square plate has a dimension of 1 × 0.4 × 0.2 meters. Find its weight.
Solution:
Given:
Volume of Stainless steel = 1 × 0.4 × 0.2 = 0.08 m3
we know, the density of stainless steel is 7700 kg/m3
To find the weight of the stainless steel multiply the volume by density,
Metal weight = volume × density
Metal weight = 0.08 × 7700 = 616 kg.
Problem 2: A round bar of aluminum with a diameter of 0.1 m and length of 8 m is to be purchased. Calculate the weight of the bar.
Solution:
Given:
Diameter of the round bar (d) = 0.1 m
Length of the round bar (L) = 8 m
Volume of round bar = (πd2)/4 × L
= (3.14 × 0.1 × 0.1)/4 × 8 = 0.063 m3
we know, the density of aluminum is 2700 kg/m3
Metal weight = volume × density
Metal weight = 0.063 × 2700 = 170.1 kg.
Problem 3: A Hexagonal bar of Iron has a width of 8 cm and a length of 5 m and is to be used for construction. calculate the weight of the metal bar.
Solution:
Given:
Width of Hexagonal bar (W) = 8 cm = 0.08 m
Length of Hexagonal bar (L) = 5 m
Volume of Hexagonal bar = √3/2 × W² × L
= √3/2 × (0.08)2 × 5 = 0.028 m3
we know, the density of Iron is 7870 kg/m3
Metal weight = volume x density
Metal weight = 0.028 x 7870 = 220.36 kg.
Problem 4: A round bar of Brass with a diameter of 0.09 m and length of 5 m is to be used for fabrication. Calculate the weight of the bar.
Solution:
Given:
Diameter of a round bar (d) = 0.09 m
Length of a round bar (L) = 5 m
Volume of round bar = (πd2)/4 × L
= (3.14 × 0.09 × 0.09)/4 × 5 = 0.032 m3
we know, the density of brass is 8500 kg/m3
Metal weight = volume × density
Metal weight = 0.032 × 8500 = 272 kg
FAQs on Metal
Question 1: What is Metal?
Answer:
Metal is any of a group of materials distinguished by strong thermal and electrical conductivity, malleability, ductility, and high light reflectivity.
Question 2: What is Metal Weight?
Answer:
Metal weight is the force acting on the metal object due to gravity. It also refers to the heaviness of a particular metal.
Question 3: What is the difference between metal weight and metal density?
Answer:
The weight of the particular metal is actually the heaviness or the gravitational force acting upon it. Whereas, the density of a metal can be defined as the weight per unit of volume.
Question 4: State the formula to calculate the metal weight.
Answer:
To determine the weight of the material, we can use the formula,
Weight (kg) = Sectional Area (mm2) x Length (m) x Density (g/cm3) x (1/1000)
Question 5: Why is it important to calculate metal weight?
Answer:
Calculating the weight of the metal is important as it affects various factors like the cost/budget, the machines needed to relocate the metals, other expenses to transport these metals, and the complexity of the metal structure made from these metals.
Question 6: List a few regularly used metals.
Answer:
A few regularly used metals are:
- Steel
- Cast Iron
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Titanium
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