Malleability is the physical property of a metal that allows it to be bent, pressed, or reshaped under stress without fracturing or breaking. To get a little more scientific, the atomic structure of malleable metals allows atoms to slide over each other when stresses are applied, leading to a reshaping of the object. While awareness about metal malleability is important for everyone who works with industrial metal, it’s a key property to consider in manufacturing, metalworking, and forging.

If your project requires metal that can withstand hammering, rolling, or shaping without breaking, consider these metals that are ranked to be the most malleable:

• Gold – rated the most malleable metal. Prized for its conductivity and resistance to tarnish. The most significant industrial use for gold is with electronics such as circuit boards, microchips, and connectors.
• Silver – boasts the highest thermal and electrical conductivity out of any metal. Silver is often used for electrical contacts, printed circuit boards, solar panels, batteries, and many other applications where conductivity is crucial.
• Aluminum – the star of the show in Phoenix aerospace and aviation applications, aluminum features a high strength to weight ratio and is resistant to corrosion.
• Copper – is second only to silver in conductivity, and is often more widely used due to the higher costs associated with silver. Copper shows up in the plumbing industry, roofing and architecture, electric motors and HVAC components
• Iron – a powerhouse metal ideal for applications requiring strength and durability. Scottsdale construction contractors value iron for rebar, structural beams and columns, vehicle frames, railroad tracks, pipes, and much more
• Lead – a crucial component in the medical industry, lead offers protection against radiation. Lead’s other common applications are numerous, and include ammunition and weights, roofing, construction, soundproofing, and cable sheathing to name a few

While this list of malleable must-haves contains metals that are known for their durability, there are nonetheless considerations that those in the Phoenix metal industry must take into account to preserve this valuable attribute. Factors that can negatively impact the inherent malleability of metal include: repeatedly stressing metal without preheating it, exposure to consistently low temperatures, and knowing that adding alloys might strengthen the metal, but reduce its malleability.

Understanding metal malleability has a great impact on the success of your Arizona industrial metal industry. Choosing the right metal materials will make or break the rest of the job, making the pressure to choose correctly all the more significant. Fortunately, the knowledgeable team at Arizona Iron Supply can help you determine which metals are best for your project, answer questions, and help you troubleshoot and plan.

Let us be your first stop when planning your project – we’ll get you started in the right direction and be there for help along the way.