METALS AND METAL FINISHING

What follows are brief descriptions of the metals we use in fabricating our lighting fixtures. They are intended as an overview. Should you have a question about the metal used in a particular fixture, please call the factory.

FERROUS METALS
Cold Rolled Steel (CRS): Smooth surface sheets available in a wide variety of sheet sizes and thicknesses. Also available in tube, bar and channel all with eased edges. Primarily for interior use. Standard gauges are 16 (.063), 18 (.0475) and 20 (.035). Heavier gauges are available for special applications.

Stainless Steel (SS): An alloy of steel giving it hardness and corrosion resistance. Sheet material is available in many sizes and thicknesses, but avail-ability of tube and bar shapes is limited. We use alloy 304, in standard gauges of 16 (.063), 18 (.0475) and 20 (.035) GA. Heavier material is available for special applications.

NON-FERROUS METALS
Aluminum: Corrosion resistant and light in weight. Available in a wide range of sizes, thicknesses and extruded shapes. A wide variety of alloys, not always available in all types and shapes. For interior and exterior use, we use alloys 5052 and 6061, in sheet thicknesses of .032, .040, .063 and .090. (Gauges are not used in aluminum.) Note different alloys of aluminum will have different appearances when annodized. This may limit the availability of finishes for some fixtures.

Copper: Very resistant to corrosion, but soft and ductile. Limited availability of sizes and shapes. For interior and exterior use. We use 24 (.032) and 32 (.040) OZ. (Copper is sold by ounce, not gauge or decimal thickness.)

Brass and Bronze: A Family of copper alloys with zinc and lead, adding strength. We use "yellow brass" (alloy 270) and "commercial bronze" (alloy 220) for both interior and exterior fixtures, in 16 (.063), 18(.040) and 20 (.032) gauges primarily. (Note that decimal thicknesses of brass and bronze differ from steel gauge to gauge.) Note not all materials are available in all types and shapes, such as sheet, tubing and angle. This may limit the availability of finishes for some fixtures.

SHAPER strives to manufacture fixtures that are solid in construction and use materials that are appropriate for their application. We use solid non-ferrous base metal and steel in fabricating our fixtures. Frequently there is no greater utility derived from solid base metal construction in an object that is not to be handled. In many cases, the ability to join by welding and soldering and then electroplate the finish can often enhance the appearance and quality of the product. In the final analysis, quality is a function of the care taken in the finishing process of polishing and lacquering, whether it is a plated or solid base metal finish. We take pride in the craftsman that do our finishing.

Where steel is used as the base metal, "bright metal" finishes are electroplated. For solid base metals, the finish is usually the base metal. SHAPER’s standard finishes are listed on the next page. Not all finishes are available for all fixtures. Call your Rep or the factory to confirm availability of a finish desired, but not listed for a particular fixture. Note that the term "satin" is synonymous with "brushed". For painted finishes see paragraphs that follow.