Blechs

Blechs refers to flat, relatively thin pieces of metal used as raw material in a wide range of manufacturing. In English, the word is usually rendered as sheet metal, and Blechs can denote sheets made from metals such as steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, brass, or tinplate. Tinplate specifically refers to a thin steel sheet coated with tin to improve corrosion resistance.

Production and finishes: Sheets are produced by rolling metal stock to a specified thickness and forming into sheets, often followed by annealing to adjust ductility. Thickness is given in millimeters or gauge; tolerances are defined by standards. Finishes include painting, plating or coating, galvanizing (zinc coating), anodizing (for aluminum), or laminating with plastic films.

Forms and applications: Common forms are sheet (thin, flexible) and plate (thicker, stiffer), as well as rolled coils. Blechs are used in construction (roofing, cladding), automotive body panels, appliances and electronics enclosures, packaging (tin cans), and furniture or shipbuilding.

Properties and processing: Material choice determines strength, ductility, hardness, corrosion resistance. Sheet metal parts are cut, punched, bent, welded, or joined by fasteners. Safety considerations include handling sharp edges and hot-work during forming.

Environmental and standards: Sheet metal is highly recyclable. Reuse and recycling save energy and resources. Standards from ISO, EN, ASTM regulate thickness tolerances, surface finishes, coatings, and mechanical properties.