Material choice is the first decision in manufacturing — and often where the most expensive mistakes happen. A practical review of three common steels.
The material used in sheet metal work determines cutting parameters, bendability, weldability, and surface behaviour. A poorly chosen base material comes back later at a higher cost.
EN 10025-2 – S235JR: general structural steel
The most common, cheapest choice. Low carbon and alloy content, easy to weld and bend. Typical material for housings, frames, non-critical structural parts.
EN 10025-2 – S355J2: higher strength
Higher yield point (355 MPa), strong enough at thinner gauges. Load-bearing structures, brackets, automotive chassis parts. Slightly harder to bend — designers should allow larger bend radii.
Stainless steel (EN 10088-2)
- EN 10088-2 – 1.4301 (AISI 304): general use, food industry, cabinets. 18% chromium, 8% nickel.
- EN 10088-2 – 1.4404 (AISI 316L): resistant in chloride / salt environments (marine, pharma). Added molybdenum.
Laser cutting stainless requires different settings (nitrogen assist gas), and tooling must not be contaminated with carbon steel — otherwise it corrodes.
Aluminium (EN 573-3)
- EN 573-3 – EN AW-5754 (AlMg3): soft, well bendable and weldable alloy — enclosures, tanks, automotive sheet parts. Excellent corrosion resistance even in salty and industrial environments.
- EN 573-3 – EN AW-6082 (AlSi1MgMn): stronger structural alloy — frames, mechanical engineering parts. Improved strength after heat treatment (T6 condition).
Aluminium cuts well with fiber laser, but CO₂ laser is limited by its high reflectivity. Deburring needs care — abrasive tools damage the soft material easily.