View 18 ga sheet metal thickness in mm and inch for stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminium
The gauge number of a sheet metal corresponds to its thickness, the latter decreasing with increasing gauges. 18 gauge sheet metal can have different thicknesses for various materials, measured in millimetres or inches. A gauge conversion chart will help you assess the measurements and strength of the material.
18 gauge 304 stainless steel offers affordability, durability, and corrosion resistance. It gets favoured for double-bowl kitchen sinks, electrical uses, and craft & model making.
How thick is 18 gauge sheet metal?
18 ga thickness corresponds to different measurements for various materials. For example, a steel sheet of this measure is 0.0478 inches or 1.2 mm thick. But 18 gauge stainless steel thickness is roughly 0.0500 inches or 1.3 mm. These measures are approximate and don’t bear any connection to the gauge number, ‘18’.
18 ga aluminum sheet thickness is just about 0.0403 inches or 1.0 mm.
18 gauge sheet metal thickness chart
Wonder how thick is 18 gauge steel? 18ga thickness is different for each material, see the below material wise 18 gauge steel thickness in inches & mm
| Material | Inch | mm |
|---|---|---|
| 18 gauge stainless steel sheet thickness | 0.0500 | 1.270 |
| 18 ga aluminium sheet thickness | 0.0403 | 1.024 |
| 18 gauge carbon steel sheet thickness | 0.0478 | 1.214 |
| 18 ga galvanized sheet thickness | 0.0516 | 1.311 |
| 18 gauge copper sheet thickness | 0.049 | 1.245 |
| 18 ga brass sheet thickness | 0.0403 | 1.024 |
Thickness tolerance of 18 gauge steel
| Material | Inch | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| 18 gauge stainless steel sheet tolerance | 0.0500 | 0.003 |
| 5052 H32 18 ga aluminium sheet tolerance | 0.0403 | ± 0.0035″ 0.09mm |
| 18 gauge carbon steel sheet tolerance | 0.0478 | 0.0528 0.0428 |
| Weight Per Area | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Inch | mm | Ib/ft² | kg/m² |
| 18 gauge stainless steel sheet thickness | 0.0500 | 1.270 | 2.081 | 10.159 |
| 18 ga aluminium sheet thickness | 0.0403 | 1.024 | 0.569 | 2.777 |
| 18 gauge steel sheet thickness | 0.0478 | 1.214 | 1.95 | 9.521 |
| 18 ga galvanized sheet thickness | 0.0516 | 1.311 | 2.105 | 10.278 |
18 gauge vs 20 gauge sheet metal
18 gauge sheet metal weight in kg
Gauge, also spelt ‘gage’, impacts the weight directly. A lower number implies a thicker sheet and higher weight and acquisition costs. An 18 gauge steel sheet weighs about 9.521 kg/m². It comes to approximately 9.69 kg/m² for sheet steel. Interestingly, an 18 gauge aluminum sheet is much lighter at 2.76 kg/m². It can make a budget-friendly selection in applications like construction, automotive, etc.
What is the rule for bending 18 ga sheet metal?
The bendability will depend on your chosen material and its malleability. For instance, aluminium will be much easier to bend than 18 ga SS (stainless steel).
The industry-standard rule for bending is that the inside bend radius should equal the thickness of the material. But if the material is unduly hard, like stainless steel, you can keep the bend radius 0.65 times the sheet thickness. While working with 18 ga thickness, this vital rule will help you avoid bending to sharp internal corners and accumulating massive internal stress.
You can use a hand-bending brake (90-degree) or other tools like mallets to achieve the desired shape. Here are some more guidelines for bending 18 gauge sheet metal:
- Calculate and use a bend allowance for smoother work. (It can get derived from the K factor.)
- Consider using annealed material for easier bending. Heat treatment is another option for 18 gage. But you must account for previous procedures and check if the material is heat-treatable.
- Protecting the 18 ga steel thickness surface during bending with masking tape can avoid scratches.
What is the K factor in 18 gage sheet metal?
The K factor decides how much of the 18 gauge metal thickness material gets stretched during bending. It is a constant number relating to bendability.
It gets calculated by dividing the neutral axis by the 18 gauge aluminum thickness. This ratio between the material thickness and the distance from the neutral line to the inside radius (of the bend) is significant in assessing flat patterns. It usually lies between 0.3 and 0.5 for 18ga.
Is 18 gauge sheet metal suitable for DIY projects?
The thickness of this material is perfect for DIY projects that will not undergo heavy handling or exposure to corrosive agents. It is a regular choice for decorative moulding, panelling, trims, etc. An 18 gauge stainless steel sheet is an excellent pick for home projects, crafts, hobby projects, etc. It can get easily worked with elementary tools and accessories like tin snips, a workbench, a tape measure, etc.
An aluminum sheet 18 gauge can also provide an intricate finish, easier bending, and more workability than lower gauge numbers.
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