Weight of Metal Bars

The Weight of Metal Bars calculator computes the weight of an amount of metal based on the number and dimensions of the flats or bars.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (L) Length of the flats or bars
• (W) Width of the flats or bars
• (T) Thickness of the flats or bars
• (n) Number of flats or bars
• (ρ) Density of metal

Weight of Metal (m): The function returns the weight in pounds. However this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu. 

The Math / Science

Metals are refined and often rolled at mills or foundries into metal flats or bars.  These flats and bars are roughly rectangular and based on the type of metal, the weight can be estimated.

The formula for the weight of metal flats is as follows:

         M = ρ • n • L • W • T

where:

• M is the mass or weight of metal
• ρ is the density of the metal (see below)
• n is the number of flats or bars
• L is the length of the flats or bars
• W is the width of the flats or bars
• T is the thickness of the flats or bars

Metals are materials characterized by its physical and chemical properties, primarily its ability to conduct electricity and heat, its luster or shine when polished, its malleability (ability to be hammered or pressed into shapes), and its ductility (ability to be drawn into wires). Metals typically have a crystalline structure and are found naturally in solid form (with the exception of mercury, which is a liquid at room temperature).

Metals make up a large portion of the periodic table of elements, with examples including iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, and titanium, among many others. Metals are essential in various industries such as construction, manufacturing, electronics, transportation, and energy production due to their unique properties and versatility.

Metals are generally dense materials. Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. Metals tend to have high densities because their atoms are closely packed together in a crystalline structure. This close packing of atoms contributes to their characteristic properties such as strength, malleability, and conductivity.

However, it's important to note that the density of metals can vary widely depending on factors such as their elemental composition, crystal structure, and any impurities present. For example, some metals like lead and platinum are denser than others like aluminum or magnesium.