About Us

Company Profile….

1st Choice Metals are an independent stockholder and processor of non ferrous metals and plastics, supplying trade, industry and the general public.

We are able to supply the smallest amounts of material as required by model makers and DIY enthusiasts, right through to large quantity orders for major users.

Via this website you can purchase Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Brass and Acetal with the click of a mouse, with thousands of combinations of section types and lengths available from stock. We also offer a free cutting service, which will allow you to take delivery of your item in the exact length that you require.

We welcome enquiries for any sizes, section types, or materials (i.e Phosphor Bronze, Copper, Polycarbonate, Perspex etc) that are not currently available on this website as not everything that we stock is listed here, and also through our extensive supplier network we can source most non-stock items for you within 24-48 hours. Please contact us with details of your requirements.

We believe that this flexibility, combined with competitive pricing and excellent customer service makes us the 1st Choice for Aluminium, Stainless Steel & Brass Online.

Our Company details are as follows:

1st Choice Metals Ltd
Unit 2 Judge Court
North Bank
Berry Hill Industrial Estate
Droitwich
Worcestershire
WR9 9AB
Company Number: 10182288

More Info….

Within our aluminium alloy stock range we have plain sheet, 5 bar treadplate (also known as chequer plate), plate, round bar / rod, square bar, flat or rectangular bar, round tube / pipe, square tube (aka box section), rectangular tube, channel (aka C section or U section), Tee section and also various trim sections, nosings and mouldings.

Rolled products i.e Sheet & Plate are either available from stock, or can be sourced in many grades including 1050, 3103, 5251, 5754, S1B, NS3, NS4 – normally in a half hard (H14) temper.

The extrusions or sections are in alloys 6063, 6082, 2014, 7075, H30, H9 & H15.

Aluminium can be finished in a variety of ways such as anodised, polished or powder coated / painted. If any of these services are of interest, please Contact Us with your requirements.

Our Stainless Steel range includes sheet, round bar, square bar and flat bar.

The sheet is all in grade 304 and is available is 3 finishes –

2B – This is a matt grey finish,

BA – This is a bright shiny, refective finish

DP1 – This is a Brushed (Or Dull) Polish On 1 Side Only

Our Stainless steel flat bar stock is all in grade 304 & is mainly slit and edge rolled.

Our Stainless steel round bars are available from stock in a choice of grades 303 & 304. Grade 303 is classed as the free machining grade of stainless steel, whilst grade 304 is the best for welding.

Our Brass stock is in round bar and flat bar form. All of our stocks are in grade CZ121.

The engineering plastic that we stock is Aectal copolymer not homopolymer.

The items that we list on this site are our most popular products and sizes. Therefore if you cannot see the item(s) that you require then please contact us  as we will probably be able to help.

Other Items…

Though our diverse and comprehensive supplier network we can also supply many other products that we do not currently have on the shelf. Some examples are:

Stainless Steel – Plate, Tubes, Box Section, Angle, Hexagon –      Grades 303 / 304 / 316

Brass – Tubes, Angles, Naval Plate, Hexagon, Sheet –                     Grades CZ130, CZ121, CZ108, CZ112

Plastics – Nylon, Acetal Homopolymer, PTFE, Polyethylene, Polyurethane, PEEK, Polycarbonate / Macralon – Acrylic / Polycarbonate Sheeting.

Aluminium Bronze – Plate, Round Bar / Rod –                                   Grades C63000, CA104, NES833

Phosphor Bronze – Plate, Sheet, Round Bar, Hollow Bar –          Grade PB102

Leaded Bronze –   Plate, Round Bar, Hollow Bar –                            Grade LG2

Copper – Flat Bars, Round Bar, Plate, Sheet –                                    Grades C101, C106

Other Services…

Whether you are looking for Laser Cutting,  Brush / Bright / Mirror Polishing, Anodising, Drilling, Folding, Fabricating, or CNC Machining – we will have a partner that can help; please Contact Us with details of your requirement.

What Are Our Products Used For?

Aluminium Round Bar / Rod / Square Bar / Flat Bar / Plate

The majorityof the above types of section are supplied in Grade 6082T6, which is a good general machining and engineering grade of aluminium. It’s machineability makes it an ideal material for turning, tapping, machining, cutting components such as dies, and tooling for all types of industry including; automotive, aerospace and pharmaceutical.

Grade 6082T6 also has good strength properties, which often see it used in the construction of bridges and buildings.

Some of the lighter, thinner flat bars are produced in Grade 6063T6, which is a softer alloy. This allows the bar to be bent / folded or cold formed, making it ideal for creating shapes or trims which can then be used on a variety of projects such as cars, motorcycles, trailers, vans, exhibition stands, door and window frames etc.

One of aluminium’s main atributes which set it aside from other metals is that it is light weight. Weighing approximately one third of steel, aluminium appeals to many other industries where weight is a factor – such as fishing equipment and motorsport equipment & parts.

Aluminium Angles / Channels 

Aluminium Angles are commonly used as edgings or trims – they can be used to give your project a finished look, e.g covering the void between two adjoining areas of sheeting on a commercial vehicle body or covering a rough or damaged edge on a shelf. They can also be used to protect a vunerable edge from damage – i.e angle can be fixed over the external corners of a plasterboard or painted wall in a busy area – you will often see angle used in this way in Hospitals, Shops, Supermarkets and other venues that are subject to high volumes of foot and trolley traffic.

Of course, aluminium angles are also ideal for use as brackets.

Aluminium Channels, also commonly referred to as C Channel or U Channel also have many uses. As well as being used as trims and cappings, they are often used to make frames, sliders or any other application where another component can either be located and fixed inside it, or can move along the inside of it. The most common examples are window / door frames, and frames for display cabinets. A prime example is to fir Polycarbonate sheeting inside of the Aluminium Channel to create a weather proof, shatter proof window frame and ‘glass’.

Aluminium Round Tubes / Square Tubes / Rectangular Tubes / Box Section

The smaller lighter tubes that are supplied in Grade 6063T6 can be formed or bent to create various shapes such as hooks or circles. The can be used as pipework and some sizes can be slid together to create a telescopic pipe. The box sections are often in long lengths on building sites as straight edges and also as screed bars. In addition, because both of the available grades 6063T6 & 6082T6 have good weldability, box sections are commonly used to make frame work for machines, trailers, cages, storage boxes / containers, racking & boats.

Aluminium Sheet

Most of the aluminium sheet that we stock is in grade 1050H14, which is a half hard grade of aluminium. This means that it can be bent / folded / formed with ease. Of course it is also lightweight and therefore is often found in the manufature and restoration of classic & sports cars, off road vehicles, coaches & buses, boats, horse boxes, trailers and architectural applications such as guttering and flashings.

Aluminium 5 bar Tread Plate

Also known as Chequer Plate & Kick Plate, our aluminium treadplate is supplied in grade 5754, and whilst this is still a bendable grade of aluminium it is also slightly stronger than the plain sheet that we have in grade 1050H14.

One of the most common applications for chequer plate is on off road vehicles, such as Land Rovers, Toyotas and other types of 4X4.

Due to it’s anti slip qualities, treadplate is also used on fire escapes, stairways, walk ways, as flooring, and as a protective or aesthecic cladding to walls.

Stainless Steel Sheet / kitchen Splashbacks

All of the stainless steel sheet that we stock is in grade 304. This is the best grade for use in damp / wet areas, or for applications where it will come into regular contact with moisture i.e steam in kitchens . There are cheaper grades of stainless steel sheet / splashbacks available, such as grades 430 & 431.  Whilst these grades do have their uses, they are magnetic grades and therefore if constantly exposed to moisture, over time they will rust and corrode – this will not happen with grade 304.

DP1 / Brush Polished / Dull Polished – This is a polish that is applied to 1 side of the sheet only. Often referred to as Brush Polished as it has a grain that gives it a look almost as if it has been brushed on with a paint brush. DP1 stainless steel sheet is commonly used as splashbacks for sinks & cookers. It is also used in the manufacture of other kitchen equipment such as cooker hoods. Grade 304 Brush Polished stainless sheet is routinely found in commercial kitchens, cafe’s and catering vans – it is used to manufacture tables / food preperation areas and also to clad the walls. Of course, this brushed look is now also very popular in our kitchen at home.

BA / Bright Anealed / Shiny stainless sheet – This has all of the same properties as the DP1 sheet above, but  the sheet goes through an anealing process which gives it a bright, shiny, reflective finish on both sides. Often used to make containers such as fuel tanks or any other application where it strength, anti corrosive properties and the look of the item are all important.

2B Finished stainless steel – 2B finished stainless steel sheet has the same anti corrosive properties as the above items. 2B is a smooth matt gey finish on both sides of the sheet. 2B is a more cost effective option than the previous two finishes and therefore is often used for fabrication and  welding work where the finished look of the surface is either not important or when the item is to be painted or powder coated.

Brass Round / Flat Bar

All of the brass that we currently stock is in grade CZ121 – which is the best grade for machining. This makes it a good choice for engineering applications, but due to its colour it is often used to make decorative trims. Other common uses are the manufature of gears, door furniture (handles, letterboxes, knockers), push plates, boat fittings, washers, spacers etc

Acetal Bar

Our copolymer acetal bar is available  in a choice of black or white. The acetal has many attributes such as, great chemical resistance, excellent machinability, and it is harder than nylon. This makes it a good all round engineering plastic. It is often used in the manufacture of bearings, spacers, bushes, rings, jigs & fixtures, weighing and packaging machines.

Should you have any queries or questions about any of our products or services please do not hesitate to Contact Us.