You’ve probably asked yourself this at some point in your life, especially when taking on a construction or renovative project. Which of the two is better between steel and aluminum, and what variables are there to consider when choosing either? Both materials have their pros and cons that outweigh each other but it’s important to recognize which of the two is best for the job depending on what you plan to do with either. Wrisco is here to explain which is better for your next construction or renovation project in this post from our blog.
Cost
The cost of both metals is always fluctuating due to global supply and demand and so the steel can usually end up being more pricey than aluminum or vice versa. But, in most cases, steel costs much less than aluminum. However, most forms of steel, such as stainless steel, are pricier and aluminum will likely end up as a cheaper option.
Strength
In terms of strength, there is no definitive answer as to which of the two is stronger. Most will say that steel is typically a stronger material due to its concentrated carbon and aluminum’s lack of density. But it’s also important to keep in mind that aluminum is lighter in weight. So you must keep in mind the strength-to-weight ratio when deciding between the two. However, if you were to decide in protection against hurricanes, as an example, aluminum has proven to be much more effective due to its lightweight versatility. Aluminum allows for easy setup when putting up panels on your home and can easily disallow impact from damaging your home. Aluminum can also get much stronger and denser when it becomes cold.
Malleability
There’s no debate as to which is more malleable. Aluminum beats steel in this area by a landslide. Due to it being much less dense than steel, aluminum is able to be formed into whatever you desire when in contact with high temperatures. It is also very ductile so it can be stretched without breaking. Because of Steel’s immense carbon density, its malleability is only possible by the application of intense heat.
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum is resistant to most corrosion and does not rust as opposed to steel. After Aluminum has been extruded, no treatment is needed to further increase its resistance to corrosion or rust. Aluminum is also further protected by its naturally occurring oxide film. Steel requires a coating of paint or other treatment to protect it from rust or corrosion. Such treatment is especially imperative if the steel will be placed in an outside environment where it will often come into contact with natural forces.
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