From the buildings we live and work in, to most objects we use on a daily basis, Metal fabrication is used in all aspects of our lives. In fact, over 50% of all our products require some sort of metal fabrication. But for those who aren’t within the metal fabrication industry, the importance and our dependence on metal often goes unnoticed. At Nissen Markers, we understand and appreciate the metal fabrication industry and it’s dedicated workers. For this reason, we wanted to pay homage and give you the 8 most interesting facts about the industry that you might not know.

1. There are three categories used to determine the thickness of metal. The most common of which being sheet metal, which is middle-of-the-road in terms of thickness. The three levels are:

• Foil or leaf metal are the thinnest, typically classified as 0.20mm and under
• Sheet metal ranges from .20mm to 6mm
• Plate metals being the thickest, which includes anything over 6mm

2. We rely on iron more than we realize, without it we wouldn’t have most of modern inventions we have today. Everything from our cars to our buildings to even as simple as the grocery carts we use are made from iron. Beyond our modern inventions, iron is essential to the survival of our plants and animals. Plants require iron for photosynthesis. Animals, including humans, require a certain amount of iron in their daily diets as it’s a main component in hemoglobin, which carries oxygen through our blood into the tissues in our bodies. Likewise, if you’re feeling tired or lethargic, try cooking in a cast iron skillet it can increased the content of iron in your food by over 800%.

3. Products made with steel can be repeatedly recycled and won’t lose their strength.

4. Metal fabrication can be stemmed back to around 4,000 BC Ancient Egypt when gold was first bent and shaped for jewelry and fashion purposes.

5. Until the Medieval Times, there were only 7 known metals, which were known as the Metals of Antiquity and are as follows:

• Gold discovered in 6,000 BC
• Copper discovered in 9,000 BC
• Silver discovered in 4,000 BC
• Lead discovered in 6,400 BC
• Tin discovered in 3,000 BC
• Iron discovered in 1.500 BC
• Mercury discovered in 1,500 BC

6. In 1969, Russian Cosmonauts first attempted to weld in space. These early experiments gave way to advancements in modern technology that are now used in constructing the space station.

7. Steel could save your life if in a car accident. Not because vehicles are reinforced by the strength of steel, but rather that there is steel present in seatbelts, which enable it to withstand forces.

8. Steel’s first major demand and dependency came from the railroad expansion.