What Is the Difference Between Metal Sheet & Plate?

When discussing custom fabrication, metal sheet and metal plate are often used interchangeably, or so it may seem. In fact, they are two different types of raw materials that can be fabricated using plasma cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, laser cutting, or another technology. What exactly is the difference between the two? It largely comes down to size.

Size Ranges & Applications for Each Material

The size of each material is a result of how it’s manufactured. Metal sheet is cut from a continuously rolled coil and can range in size from less than 1 mm to 25 mm. Sheet is used for nearly endless applications. Some examples include: car parts, roofs for buildings, and business signs. Metal plate is typically rolled as a single item and is therefore thicker than sheet, spanning 2 mm to 150 mm in size. Plates are more often used in the construction of buildings, ships, oil platforms, bridges, and other types of structures.

Fabricating Metal Sheet & Plate

Metal fabricators have an array of tools to process sheet and plate, though some are better applied to certain materials depending on the thickness. For instance, laser cutters are ideal for fabricating thin sheets, while plasma cutting and oxy-fuel cutting machines can handle thicker plates.

Leading Fabrication Technology

Machitech is a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty CNC plasma cutting machines for custom fabrication. We provide turnkey installation and training services, as well as free and unlimited support for life. Contact us today to learn how our plasma cutting technology can power your business.