What is Corrugated Metal?

Corrugated metal is a high-strength material manufactured from steel, aluminum, or galvanized metal, often coated for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance. Corrugated metal offers a unique wavy or ribbed pattern with parallel ridges and grooves. The corrugated structure offers enhanced strength while offering a distinct appearance that is extremely popular across various industries and applications.

How is Corrugated Metal Manufactured?

Corrugated metal is manufactured through several processes that shape the flat metal into a series of ridges and grooves, which enhance its strength and rigidity without adding extra material. This process typically involves several steps, including selecting raw materials to form the metal into its desired corrugated shape. The manufacturing of corrugated metal involves the following steps:

• Material selection and preparation
• Sheet metal roll forming
• Cutting to size
• Coating and finishing
• Final packaging and distribution

Corrugated Metal Galvanization Process

According to the American Galvanizers Association, galvanization protects steel from corrosion by dipping it in a vat of molten zinc. The iron in the steel reacts with the zinc, forming a tightly bonded alloy coating that provides a shiny finish. As the galvanized finish ages, it will grow a white oxide coating, which protects the metal from further corrosion, even at scratches or the sheared edges on a galvanized corrugated sheet.
In addition to the hot-dip batch process, galvanization can also be accomplished with continuous sheet galvanizing. During this process, rolls of sheet steel are passed through an annealing furnace to clean and prepare the surface, then rolled through a zinc bath, pulled vertically, and allowed to dry. This type of galvanized coating is thinner and less protective and should be suitable only for indoor use.

What is the Galvalume Corrugated Metal Galvanization Process?

An alternate version of galvanization is the patented Galvalume process. First discovered by Bethlehem Steel in 1972, Galvalume steel coating contains about 55 percent aluminum, 45 percent zinc, and a small amount of silicon, which helps the coating adhere to the steel during corrugation.
The aluminum in Galvalume provides corrosion resistance against atmospheric conditions. When the coating is applied, microscopic areas of aluminum and zinc form. The aluminum areas provide a corrosion barrier, while the zinc areas provide galvanization. In most applications, Galvalume offers greater protection than galvanization, but there are exceptions, such as in the alkaline environments of concrete and mortar or agricultural or animal confinement areas.

Corrugated Metal Applications

The unique corrugated metal properties allow for countless applications that require enhanced strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Common applications include:

• Roofing
• Siding
• Interior and exterior walls
• Fencing and enclosures
• Sheds and storage buildings
• Decorative applications

Uncoated & Corten Steel Corrugated Metal for Artistic Applications

For artistic purposes, corrugated steel sheet may be made from uncoated or corten steel, a weathering steel that gives a rusted look right off the shelf! However, most building applications require protection from the environment, achievable through galvanization, painting, or coatings, depending on cost and specific needs.

Corrugated Metal Advantages

Some of the main benefits associated with corrugated metal include:

• Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
• Corrosion resistance
• Enhanced durability and longevity
• Lightweight
• Weather and fire resistance
• Energy efficiency
• Aesthetic appeal

IMS Corrugated Metal Options

Looking for a specific corrugated metal type to meet your application needs? IMS has you covered! We stock the following corrugated metal product options:

• Standard corrugated metal
• Corrugated galvalume metal – corrugated sheets coated with a combination of 43.5% zinc, 55% aluminum, and 1.5% silicon
• Corrugated galvanized metal – corrugated sheets coated with 100% zinc

IMS is Your Trusted Local Metal Supplier

With seven locations serving California, Arizona, Nevada, and Northern Mexico, IMS is a full-service metal supplier that understands your needs. Our inventory of metal products includes a broad range of metal shapes and an extensive selection of alloys. At IMS, we offer the following advantages:

• Same-day will-call pick-up
• Next-day local delivery
• High-volume discount pricing
• Custom cut-to-size metal production
• ISO 9001 certification
• Support of Just-In-Time manufacturing
• No minimum purchase requirements

Purchase Corrugated Metal Products from IMS Today

Contact us for more information on our corrugated metal products and secondary services. Our experts will help you find the metal solution best suited to your specific application.