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Angle Iron
Angle irons provide structural framework or support at a 90 degree angle on a building as well as wall corners and edges. Angle brackets are sometimes referred to as angle irons, but angle brackets are folded along the width of the flat metal rod rather than its length. Angle irons have a direct relationship between their size and their weight capacity; the larger the angle iron, the heavier the load they can support. Commonly used in applications such as building reinforcements, drawer slides, athletic flooring systems, joists, studs, control joint, expansion joint, railroad track and supports, angle irons may also be punched with holes or shapes to allow for hardware fastening. Industries that utilize angle irons include construction, aerospace, automotive, railroad, furniture, HVAC, hardware and storage. Materials that are used in angle irons include iron, steel, brass and aluminum. Iron and steel angle irons are the most common; however brass and aluminum angle irons also have their uses. For example, brass is used for aesthetic appeal while aluminum angle irons are used in applications requiring lighter weights.During the roll forming process, the angle iron begins as a flat metal rod. Roll forming machines that consist of sequences of calenders, or roller die pairs, are positioned both above and below the flat metal rod that is being formed. As the metal rod moves through the machine, the rollers bend the rod along the linear axis, pressing the rod into a more uniform grainflow while shaping the rod to specific widths and linear three dimensional shapes. Roller dies may also include punches which punch holes or shapes into the part along precise intervals as it is being formed; punches are often used to form slotted angle irons. Typically, roll formed parts are created at room temperature, making this a cold forming process. The roll forming process creates very little scrap material while improving the structural integrity of the product. This process can be used for many different standard angle iron sizes; an angle iron with longer sides is generally made from a thicker metal, such as iron or steel, which allows for a thicker root, meaning the area where the bend is located. Although the legs of the angle can vary in size, the legs remain at equal lengths.
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