October 28, 2025 in ARIZONA IRON SUPPLY, fabrication, Iron, Ornamental Metals Phoenix, Steel, Structural Steel, Welding

Shopping for Metal Doesn’t Have to be Scary

We get it – there are SO many options for where to purchase your metal, what kinds of metal to buy, and figuring out the surface finish your projects require. In fact, shopping for metal in Phoenix can be downright frightening.

In this season of all things spooky and creepy, we don’t want industrial metal purchasing to be added to your list of jump-scares. The field experts at Arizona Iron Supply can help! Here are just a few questions to ask to help you to determine which metal is right for your projects:

  1. What kind of temperature tolerance is needed?

Some metals can withstand extreme temperatures without being compromised, while some are less ideal for Arizona’s dramatic climate. If your structure will be outdoors, you may want to consider using aluminum, tungsten, titanium, or stainless or galvanized steel. These metals each have their unique attributes and properties, but all can withstand high temperatures, temperature fluctuations, and strong wind and rain.

  1. Does the metal need to be corrosion resistant?

If your structure will be exposed to corrosive elements such as salt water, acids, chlorine, or others, it’s wise to be very careful to select metals that won’t lose their properties or structural integrity. Metal corrosion is a widespread and pervasive issue. Not only is it largely avoidable with new builds, but damage due to corrosion is estimated to cost the US a staggering $276 billion per year.

Some of the most popular corrosion-resistant metals in Arizona include stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, and nickel.

  1. How malleable does the metal need to be?

For applications such as electronics, Phoenix automotive fabrication, jewelry, and appliances, metals that can be machined and formed are needed. For forging, rolling, extrusion, or stamping, the malleable metals we recommend include aluminum, copper, tin, lead, gold, and silver. Other options include certain metal alloys including brass (copper and zinc) and sterling silver (copper and silver). Depending on how hot the metal will get during the machining process, harder metals such as iron may also work well for your application.

  1. What level of strength is needed?

Depending on how much force the metal component will need to withstand, you may need to look for metals with high tensile strength. While tungsten has the highest tensile strength, making it ideal for aerospace applications, Arizona Iron Supply has many other high-strength metals. We often recommend steel alloys or stainless steel for many of our clients’ projects that will sustain force.

If all of this still has you feeling unsure about how to pick the just-right metal for your jobs, we’ve got you covered. As experts in the Arizona metal industry, we help guide our customers through the decision-making process. Our clients value our availability to answer questions as well as our clear communication. And when it comes to something as important as picking the right metals for your jobs, you want nothing less than expert guidance right when you need it. 

With so many options available at Arizona Iron Supply, we understand the FEAR that can come with figuring out just what to purchase. Let us help – we know the metal industry, and we don’t rest until our customers are satisfied.