An ingot is a mass of metal that has been cast into a size and shape (such as a bar, plate, or sheet) that is convenient to store, transport, and work into a semi-finished or finished product. The term also refers to a mold in which metal is so cast.
Wire rod is a rolled steel product (alloy or non-alloy), manufactured from semi-finished steel with a rectangular, rounded, hexagonal or squared shape. Especially, fine cross-sections are reached by sequent cold drawing. Wire rod is wrapped around into the coils and also carried in this form.
Sheets is much harder than aluminum. Aluminum is more likely to warp, deform, or scratch under heat over 400°F and force. Due to the high thermal conductivity, aluminum is harder to weld. Finally, aluminum is not suitable in culinary applications as it reacts with and changes the color and flavor of food products.
Some people have some misconceptions when we say a part is made from billet aluminum or billet steel. Let’s clear those up. Just in case you don’t want to read the rest, here’s the short version: billet is stronger and worth the money, but the reason why might surprise you.
