Daily Dose of Metal

A DAILY DOSE OF METAL How Metal Gets You Through the Day Since the Middle Ages, our capabilities and uses of metal have greatly expanded and diversified. It's become an essential element woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Let's take a look at some fun facts and applications below. TRANSPORTATION SHIPS AIRPLANES • Passenger airplanes are made of aluminum • Withstand severe weather on ocean journeys • 20 million shipping con- tainers travel overseas daily • Steel planes would be too heavy to take off MTA TRAINS • Rolled steel fracks withstand heavy wear-and-tear • NYC subway tracks laid end-to-end would reach Chicago ROAD CONSTRUCTION CARS • Steel and concrete is foundation for highway overpasses • Steel girders:130 feet long & 54 tons Average car 2,400 Ibs of steel 80% of your car's weight • Ford is using aluminum body panels on the 2015 F-150 truck- cuts 700 Ibs of weight SHELTER | ARCHITECTURE 1. COPPER • Used in 85% of U.S. • Modern skyscrapers started in 1885 with homes • Copper piping dates back 5,000 years to ancient Egypt introduction of steel frames • Willis Tower: 1,451-foot & 76,000 tons INTERIOR DESIGN • Industrial design showcases metal- stainless steel furniture, exposed pipes & l-beams • Aluminum-lightweight and flexible-also popular in design ENERGY & COMMUNICATION SOLAR PANELS 3.46 POUNDS 4.55 OUNCES • Usage has increased by 68% in the last 2.5 years • Aluminum frames and PV cells are completely recyclable • Saves homeowners $20,000 over 20 years ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS • Metals have made digital devices lighter and sleeker • First commercial cell phone: 1984 2 lbs $3,995 HEALTH & SECURITY MEDICAL DEVICES • Titanium pacemakers reduce the risk of death by up to 40% in patients • 3 million people worldwide use pacemakers • Knee and hip implants: 1.05 million surgeries are performed annually • Generally made of titanium alloys • Strong enough to support weight, flexible to allow fluid joint motion LOCKS SAFES • Gun and fire safes: Thin 12-18 • Steel locks are more secure than brass locks, which can be sawed through • Deadbolts should withstand 300 pound inches of torque gauge steel • Burglary safes: 4" thick steel plates • Fireproof safes withstand 1,200° fires for one hour FOOD APPLIANCES BAR TOPS • Stainless steel appliances are standard for • Copper countertops are popular for unique look and properties • Antimicrobial copper kills bacteria modern kitchens • Non-porous surface prevents bacteria growth • Long lifespan holds up to kitchen wear-and-tear ART & ENTERTAINMENT SCULPTURE Two of the most iconic public metal sculptures-the Daley Plaza Picasso and Cloud Gate (aka "The Bean") are both reside in Chicago CLOUD GATE 110 TONS THE PICASSO 160 TONS • Exterior is 168 polished stainless steel panels • Made of corrosion-resistant steel: 50 feet tall & 160 tons MONUMENTS • Tallest structure in the world for 41 years until construction of the Chrysler Building ST. LOUIS ARCH 17,246 TONS • Made of corrosion-resistant steel: 50 feet tall & 160 tons STATUE OF LIBERTY • Originally had a shiny copper color, but turned green as metal oxidized EIFFEL TOWER 1,063 FEET JEWELRY • Titanium rates 6 on metal hardness scale-stronger than gold or silver • Lightweight & hypoallergenic, makes great wedding band While wood, plastic, and glass definitely have their place, metal provides strength and durability that can't be matched. No matter what industry you're in, metal plays a pivotal role in shaping your world. Sources: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5660398_copper-countertops-pros-cons.html http://www.residentialshippingcontainerprimer.com/ISO%20lntermodal%20Cargo%20Shipping%20Containers http://www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial /safety/faq.page http://web.mta.info/nyct/facts/ffsubway.htm http://www.energymatters.com.au/education/solar-wind-trivia/ http://www.nashvillesafehouse.com/faq/top-10-things-to-know-before-buying-a-safe/ http://healthcare.utah.edu/publicaffairs/news/archive/2003/news_76.php http://www.wired.com/2013/08/kwikset-smarkey-lock-vulns/ http://www.diamondcertified.org/report/crown-hardware-lock/ar- ticle/do-your-research-and-consider-your-options-before-purchasing-a-deadbolt-lock http://www.overstock.com/guides/top-5-advantages-of-stainless-steel-appliances http://corporate.arcelormittal.com/news-and-media/publications-and-reports/fabricoflife http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats /inpatient-surgery.htm http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_-artarchitecture.html http://www.gatewayarch.com/experience/arch-facts-faq/ http://www.toureiffel.paris/en.html http://www.zales.com/jewelry101/index.jsp?page%=preciousMetals HM INDUSTRIAL METAL SUPPLY COMPANY metal made easy