Angle iron is a common piece of construction material. It is composed of two pieces of steel that come together as an L-shaped cross-section. You can bolt it together and use it for various purposes. Before you select an angle iron or multiple angle irons that you will use as part of a construction project, you should look into some particular characteristics that these components might have.
Let’s talk about three of the most essential ones right now.
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Strength and Size Characteristics
You definitely need to think about the thickness of the angle iron that you are going to utilize. You should know that its structural steel is the strongest and most durable directly above the vertical section.
It is the L-shape that creates the angle iron’s strength. If you understand this fundamental concept, you should be better able to determine what length and thickness the piece needs.
If you have an engineer on your team, they can help you in this area. They can tell you what size and strength your angle iron should be as you move forward with your construction project. You might also use one of these components if you are working on furniture frames, structural repairs, fencing, bridgework, shelving, masonry, etc.
Your Alloy Options
You will also want to look closely at the alloy you use for the angle iron or irons you choose. There are several available. The durability of the one you use will be impacted by its alloy, as well as the elasticity and tensile strength.
You might go with something like rolled hot steel for larger L shapes. You may find that preferable if the precision and surface appearance will not impact the project all that much.
You may choose galvanized steel instead. You will want that for projects where you don’t have a lot of cash to spare. Galvanized steel gives you the strength and durability of more expensive alloys but at a lower price point.
The Weight
The weight of the angle iron you choose may be its most vital characteristic. If you miscalculate the weight, that can have a disastrous effect on your project.
Know how much weight the angle iron needs to support. You must know the exact weight, or you could use a size or alloy that is not sufficient to support it.
As you might imagine, getting the weight wrong can cause a collapse that could injure or even kill someone. Again, you may want to employ the services of an engineer if you’re not sure how much weight the angle iron needs to support.
The weight of the angle itself matters just as much. If you insert the wrong-weighted angle in your construction design, that could throw off the structure’s other components. That might cause a collapse at some point.
Conclusion
If you look at these three characteristics and get them right, then you should have no trouble picking the angle iron or irons that will suit you best. They have many practical uses.
