Metal selection

Metal selection

Major considerations for the metal selection are the types of metal and their thickness. Protocase Inc. offers carbon steel and stainless steel as standard offerings. The table below shows the standard sheet metal thickness:

Gage #	Plain Steel	Stainless Steel
11	0.120 in	-
14	0.075 in	0.078 in
16	0.060 in	0.063 in
18	0.048 in	0.050 in
20	0.036 in	0.038 in
22	0.030 in	0.031 in
24	0.024 in	0.025 in

Carbon steel is suitable for the majority of electronic applications, and shows long-term durability in indoor applications when finished with powder coat.

Stainless steel should be used when corrosion resistance is an issue, or when that ´special look´ of brushed stainless steel is desired. Stainless can be powder coated just like carbon steel. It exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance whether bare or powder coated. However, users should be aware that stainless steel could show surface corrosion when contaminated with traces of carbon steel or other corrosion susceptible metals. If stainless comes into contact with such metals (for example, if it is finished with a carbon steel wire brush) then it must be 'passivated' to remove that contamination.

Protocase Inc. has an in-house environmentally friendly citric-acid based passivation process.

If a particularly corrosive environment is anticipated, please contact tech support.