Designs in Metal

Like different species of wood, there are a variety of metals for use in design: steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc alloys are common. In the stair images, for example, the first image is an oiled steel stair which is the cheapest of the metals and finishes, but the second is a stainless steel stair which due to the strength of stainless steel has very thin members and a plate thickness of only 1/8".

The copper family includes brass and muntz metal (both alloys of copper and zinc) where as bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, which includes naval bronze, silicone bronze (which is cheaper), and aluminum bronze.

There are over 50 grades of stainless steel, with varying degrees of resistance to corrosion, and strength. It is not commonly known that the corrosion resistance is dependent on the creation of a chrominun-oxide protective film. Certain alloys, such as chromium and molybdenum increase film creation. In harsh environments where the film breaks down, stainless steel will corrode with brown to dark brown pits or blotches.