What is bar stock?
Bar stock is long, solid metal in a consistent cross-section — round, square, flat, or hex — sold by the foot or in standard lengths. It is the starting material for most machined parts.
Related Terms
Flat Bar
A flat bar is a rectangular cross-section bar stock sold by length. It is wider than it is thick and used for brackets, frames, and cut-to-size flat blanks.
Billet
A billet is a solid block or bar of metal — usually square or round — cut from rolled or cast stock, used as input material for forging, extrusion, or heavy machining.
Metal Blank
A metal blank is a flat piece of metal cut to a specific size or shape, ready to be formed, stamped, machined, or processed further. It's the starting material before a part is finished.
Plate vs Sheet
Plate is metal thicker than 3/16 inch (4.76mm); sheet is thinner. Plate is used for structural and heavy fabrication work; sheet is used for stamping, forming, and laser cutting.