Everything you need to know about steel.

March 31, 2023

Mild steel is the most common metal used for components fabricated at Grenville.  A ferrous metal made from iron and carbon, and has exceptional tensile and high-impact strength.  The higher melting temperature means that mild steel is more ductile when heated, making it suitable for forging, cutting, drilling, and welding and easy to fabricate.

 

STEEL GRADES

S235JR is a popular steel, all angles, RHS, channels etc., comes as 235JR as standard.  This steel is classed as a structural grade and is used for numerous items seen in daily life.

 

S275JR is the lowest grade of sheet/plate steel we stock; it bends easily, is the most common, and accounts for 70 % of our stock.  This grade is also classed as structural steel and used for all manner of items.

 

Cold-reduced DC01 is a brighter, more malleable steel with a much better surface finish.  This grade is commonly used for parts where strength is less of an issue and paint finish is essential.

 

S355JR is a higher, harder grade.  This more robust steel is used for parts where increased hardness is required – such parts manufactured by Grenville include safety struts, lift parts and parts for the automotive industry.

 

420MC is a harder steel, but the MC indicates that it’s been rolled with properties that allow bending into tighter radiuses.  Using this rigid but bendable grade, companies can use lighter gauge steel for applications where durable steel is necessary—allowing a good weight/strength ratio which is essential for products like trailers.

 

RQT701 and Domex700 are the highest and hardest grades of mild steel we use.  We manufacture many parts for the construction industry, such as safety struts and safety-critical items.

 

Corten is known as weathering steel; commonly used for garden furniture and products which require a rustic finish.  The weathered finish protects the surface of the steel so that once it gains its “rusty appearance,’ it does not continue to decline.

 

Most steel purchased is in three sizes as standard and dictated by the size of the parts and the best sheet utilisation at the nesting stage.  For more significant batch parts, we can purchase sheets decoiled to length to get the practical layout of components on the sheets, which allows us to provide more competitive prices for customers.

 

  • 2000mm x 1000mm
  • 2500mm x 1250mm
  • 3000mm x 1500mm

 

While every product is unique, most begin life at Grenville as a flat sheet of mild steel.  The metal is laser cut using one of our rapid Bystronic fiber laser machines or, depending on requirements, punched with our CNC Trupunch 3000.  Once cut, we form the part into the desired shape using one of our six press brake machines.  It can then be assembled and welded by one of our highly skilled welding team.

 

All components are subjected to rigorous deburring, grinding and dressing procedures to ensure the highest quality finish.

 

Mild steel isn’t rust-proof.  We, therefore, offer metal finishing services working to customer specifications, from shot blasting, painting, powder coating, and galvanising to zinc plating.  We carefully select premium suppliers to finish parts to a high standard, including BS EN ISO 1461, ISO 9001 and AS9100 delivering the highest quality finish.

 

Spanning more than four decades of experience and dedication, we produce the highest quality products from mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium to all specifications supported through the latest Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

 

Why choose Grenville?  We are committed to providing outstanding quality components, customer service, and technical expertise to an ever-growing diverse range of customers from concept to delivery.

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What Is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is a highly precise manufacturing process that uses a focused beam of light to cut or engrave materials. By directing an intense point of heat—generated by CO₂ or fibre-laser technology—the machine can produce intricate shapes, clean edges and fine detail that would be impossible to achieve by hand or with many traditional cutting tools.

At Grenville Engineering, our laser technology works across a range of materials including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, copper and brass, delivering a polished, accurate finish every time.

How Does the Process Work?

The process begins with a CAD file, which guides the machine through every cut. The concentrated laser beam melts or vaporises the material exactly along the programmed path, leaving a clean, smooth edge.

Laser cutting is not only extremely accurate—it’s also energy-efficient, fast and consistent, making it one of the most effective manufacturing methods available in the UK today.

What Can Laser Cutting Be Used For?

Laser cutting is an essential process for industries requiring high levels of precision, detail and repeatability. These include:

  • Automotive

  • Food processing and packaging

  • Aerospace

  • Electronics and instrumentation

  • Earthmoving and heavy equipment manufacturing

Grenville Engineering supports many high-profile partners, producing over 1,000 different components, from tiny 3.5mm parts to larger pieces within our cutting area of 3.5m x 1.5m. Our laser machines can pierce single or multiple layers with remarkable accuracy, producing components that serve critical roles in some of the UK’s most demanding applications.

Who Benefits from Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is the first vital step in many manufacturing processes. Whether producing prototypes, intricate brackets, safety-critical components or bespoke designs, laser cutting ensures the accuracy needed for downstream operations.

Our customers rely on us for:

  • Tight tolerances

  • High repeatability

  • Smooth, clean edge quality

  • Fast turnaround

  • Minimal material distortion

Compared with plasma cutting, laser cutting offers far higher precision, a smaller kerf and the ability to work with thinner sheets without compromising quality. This makes it the perfect solution for OEMs, R&D teams, product designers and manufacturers across sectors.

The Benefits of Modern Laser Cutting

The advantages of laser cutting are clear:

  • Precision and reliability – control over heat and duration creates flawless edges.

  • Non-contact processing – eliminates tool wear and reduces the risk of damage.

  • Speed and cost-efficiency – low maintenance and fast cutting cycles.

  • Enhanced safety – enclosed beams protect operators and maintain clean working conditions.

The combination of speed, accuracy and versatility makes laser cutting one of the most efficient manufacturing technologies available today.

Introducing the New 12kW TRUMPF TruLaser 3030 Fiber

Grenville Engineering’s latest acquisition represents a significant upgrade in both power and capability. The TruLaser 3030 fiber offers:

Advanced Technical Features

  • 3000 x 1500 mm working range

  • TRUMPF’s TruDisk 12001 solid-state laser with BrightLine fiber for superb edge quality, even at high power

  • Automatic nozzle changer to switch seamlessly between cutting conditions

  • Highspeed Eco package, reducing gas consumption while increasing feed rate

  • Compressed air cutting and an integrated gas mixer for exceptional flexibility

Cutting Power & Thickness Capability

With up to 12 kW of laser power, the machine can cut:

  • Mild steel: up to 30 mm

  • Stainless steel: up to 40 mm

  • Aluminium: up to 30 mm

  • Copper and brass: up to 12.7 mm

This significantly expands the range of materials and thicknesses we can process in-house—reducing lead times, eliminating the need for outsourcing and increasing production efficiency for our customers.

Why Choose Grenville Engineering?

Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Grenville Engineering is one of the UK's most trusted providers of laser cutting and fabrication services. Our Complete Fabrication Solution ensures that your components are cut, folded, fabricated and finished to the highest standards.

We offer:

  • Fast, accurate and reliable service

  • Competitive pricing

  • Skilled in-house engineers

  • State-of-the-art laser technology

  • Decades of experience serving major UK industries

With the addition of the TruLaser 3030 fiber, we are better equipped than ever to meet complex specifications and tight deadlines.

Our Laser Cutting Machines

Grenville Engineering now operates three laser cutting machines on site:

  • Two TRUMPF machines for cutting stainless steel, mild steel and aluminium

    • Thicknesses: 20mm (mild steel), 12mm (stainless), 8mm (aluminium)

  • Bystronic Fibre Laser for brass, copper and other materials

    • Thicknesses: up to 6mm

    • Bed size: 1500 x 3000

  • NEW 12kW TRUMPF TruLaser 3030 fiber

    • Expanded capability across all materials

    • Industry-leading cutting speeds and edge performance

Request an Online Quote

t’s easy to get started. Click the 'Contact Us' button below contact us or to request a callback and receive a fast, competitive online quote from our team. Whether you need a single prototype or a full production batch, Grenville Engineering is ready to deliver.

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Find out how we can help today

Call Grenville Engineering on 01782 577 929
or email us at sales@grenville-engieering.co.uk