In this blog, we are covering why choosing the right materials for your projects is so important. We’ll show how choosing the right materials from the start can help you avoid costly delays, reduce expenses, and prevent unnecessary complications down the road.
In engineering, manufacturing, and product development, one truth often becomes painfully clear too late: materials matter. Whether you’re designing components for the food and drink industry, renewable technologies, aerospace, or beyond, the materials you select can be the difference between success and costly setbacks.
At Special Metric Materials (SMM), we’ve seen firsthand how early engagement in material selection helps customers avoid last-minute redesigns, performance failures, and delivery delays. In this blog, we explore why early material selection is critical, and how working with the right supplier early on can dramatically streamline your process.
The Problem with Late-Stage Material Choices
Many design or procurement teams focus heavily on function, geometry, and cost during the initial project stages, leaving material selection as something to finalise later. This “we’ll sort that out later” mindset can introduce a host of challenges such as:
- Availability issues: The perfect material may have long lead times or limited availability, pushing back production deadlines.
- Compatibility gaps: Late changes can reveal that the chosen material doesn’t work well with surrounding components or processes (e.g. welding, sterilisation, or chemical exposure).
- Non-compliance: Regulatory or customer-specific requirements might rule out certain alloys or treatments, forcing redesigns or reapproval.
- Cost creep: Switching materials late often means paying more for rush orders or accepting less-than-optimal alternatives.
The earlier you identify the right material, the more time you have to engineer around it, and the fewer surprises you’ll face down the line.
Material Selection Is More Than Specs
Choosing a material isn’t just a tick-box exercise against a list of physical properties. It’s a balancing act between performance, processability, availability, regulatory compliance, and cost.
An example of this is when a renewable energy component may need to withstand marine corrosion, intense pressure, and mechanical wear, all while staying cost-effective for volume production. There may be several technically suitable options on paper, but factors like surface treatment, supply chain stability, and fabrication methods may rule some out in real-world applications.
That’s why working with a specialist materials partner – like Special Metric Materials – early in the process can save you time and frustration.
How Special Metric Materials Helps at the Start
At Special Metric Materials, we specialise in sourcing and supplying hard-to-find, high-specification, and precision metals and alloys. But we’re not just here to shift stock, we help customers solve problems before they become expensive.
When you bring us in at the early stages of your project, we can:
- Recommend Fit-for-Purpose Materials
Our technical sales team understands the nuanced requirements of different industries—from cleanroom-ready stainless steels for the food sector, to high-strength alloys for offshore renewables. We ask the right questions upfront to narrow your options to materials that actually work in the real world.
- Identify Supply Constraints Early
We have deep insight into global supply trends. If a material is in short supply, has extended lead times, or is being phased out, we can flag that early and suggest viable alternatives. This is particularly valuable in industries where timelines are tight, and continuity of supply is critical.
- Ensure Compliance
We help ensure your selected material meets relevant certifications, including EN, ASTM, and ISO standards, as well as customer-specific or regulatory demands. For sectors like food & drink and pharmaceuticals, this is crucial.
- Coordinate with Fabricators
Because we understand downstream processes like machining, welding, and surface finishing, we help you choose materials that won’t cause headaches on the shop floor, avoiding common compatibility issues.
Real-World Example: Supporting a Renewable Energy Project with Technical Expertise
When a UK-based renewable energy company approached SMM to supply stainless steel tube and fittings for a new biomass plant, the brief was clear: the system was low pressure, but was the product was over-specified.
Instead of simply quoting the requested tube-and-fittings package, the SMM team worked closely with the client’s engineers to review their system specifications in detail. By understanding the exact working pressure and environmental conditions, SMM was able to recommend a tailored Tru-Bore® stainless steel package, selecting items for their superior strength-to-weight ratio, pressure capability & targeted corrosion resistance in key sections.
This precise material matching not only met the plant’s performance requirements but also reduced unnecessary overspecification, lowering both initial material costs and long-term maintenance needs. The result was a fully compliant, pressure-rated system delivered on time, ready to withstand decades of service in a demanding renewable energy application.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
As global supply chains grow more complex, and material costs fluctuate, engineers and procurement teams must think strategically, not just reactively.
Early material engagement means:
- Reduced risk of delays
- More cost-effective choices
- Improved long-term performance
- Greater confidence during audits and inspections
When you work with a partner like SMM, you’re not just buying materials—you’re gaining insight, foresight, and the confidence that your project is built on a solid foundation.
Let’s Talk Early
Whether you’re working on a tight prototype schedule or scoping out a long-term production run, getting your material strategy right from the beginning can save you days, weeks, or even months down the line.
When it comes to choosing the right materials for your projects, at Special Metric Materials, we’re happy to support from day one, offering advice, technical insight, and tailored supply strategies to keep your projects moving.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your material needs, or just to explore what’s possible. You bring the challenge, we’ll bring the materials (and the knowledge to back them up).
