When would you choose aluminum over steel?
If you don't touch it, the appearance of aluminum and stainless steel looks similar, but in fact, these two materials are completely different metal materials. Due to their differences in hardness, alloy type, etc., they are used in completely different fields. So, what is the difference between aluminum plate and stainless steel plate?
What is aluminum?
Aluminium (aluminum in North American English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. It has a great affinity towards oxygen, and forms a protective layer of oxide on the surface when exposed to air. Aluminium visually resembles silver, both in its color and in its great ability to reflect light. It is soft, non-magnetic and ductile. It has one stable isotope, 27Al; this isotope is very common, making aluminium the twelfth most common element in the Universe. The radioactivity of 26Al is used in radiodating.
Light, durable and functional: these are the qualities that make aluminium one of the key engineering materials of our time. We can find aluminium in the homes we live in, in the automobiles we drive, in the trains and aeroplanes that take us across long distances, in themobile phones and computers we use on a daily basis, in the shelves inside our fridges and in modern interior designs, but a mere 200 years ago very little was known about this metal.
What is Stainless steel?
Stainless steels are steels containing at least 10.5% chromium, less than 1.2% carbon and other alloying elements. Stainless steel's corrosion resistance and mechanical properties can be further enhanced by adding other elements, such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium, niobium, manganese, etc.
Aluminum and stainless steel have different strength to weight ratios
1. Degree to weight ratio.The strength of aluminum plate is generally not as good as that of stainless steel plate, and it is only about one-third of that of stainless steel plate under the same conditions. This is also the main reason why aircraft are mainly made of aluminum plates.
2. Corrosion performance is different. Stainless steel plate is composed of iron, chromium, nickel, manganese, copper and other elements. The addition of chromium can provide good corrosion resistance. In addition, since it is non-porous, it improves the corrosion resistance of stainless steel materials.
Aluminum sheets have high oxidation and corrosion resistance, mainly due to their passivation layer. After the aluminum plate is oxidized, its surface will also turn white. But in certain extremely acidic or alkaline environments, aluminum can corrode rapidly, with disastrous results.
3. In terms of thermal conductivity, the thermal conductivity (thermal conductivity) of the aluminum plate is better than that of the stainless steel plate. This is one of the main reasons why aluminum sheets are often used in car radiators and air conditioning units.
4. In terms of cost, the aluminum plate is usually cheaper than the stainless steel plate.
5. In terms of usability, there is also a difference between aluminum and stainless steel. Aluminum sheets are fairly soft and easy to cut and shape. Stainless steel can be difficult to work with due to its high wear resistance, and stainless steel is also harder than aluminum, making it more difficult to form.
6. In terms of weldability, stainless steel plates are relatively easy to weld, while aluminum welding is more difficult.
7.In terms of heat resistance, the maximum working temperature of stainless steel plate is much higher than that of aluminum plate. Generally, when the temperature of aluminum sheets is above 400 degrees Celsius, they become very soft.
8. Conductivity. Stainless steel conducts electricity very poorly compared to most metals. The aluminum plate is a good power material. High voltage overhead power lines are usually made of aluminum because of their corrosion resistance, light weight and high electrical conductivity.
9.In terms of strength, if the weight factor is not considered, the stainless steel plate is stronger than the aluminum plate.
When would you choose aluminum over steel?
If you have any questions about choosing aluminum sheet or stainless steel sheet as your product material, you can directly ask the aluminum sheet manufacturer or stainless steel sheet manufacturer. As a professional material manufacturer, they will definitely recommend plates suitable for your products.
Of course, if you decide to use an aluminum sheet as the raw material of your product, then the Staral aluminum sheet will be your best choice. STARAL is a professional aluminum sheet manufacturer. Their aluminum panels have passed all kinds of performance tests flawlessly, and the price is beyond your imagination. If you have any questions, please email or call STARAL engineers directly, they will give you an accurate reply.
Price of aluminum
Usually the price will be affected by raw materials, market environment, research and development costs, etc. If you need to know the latest price of aluminum alloy, you can contact Staral’s customer service to answer your questions.
About Staral
Staral specializes in the deep processing business of aluminum products. Its main equipment include melting and holding furnaces from Switzerland GAUTSCHI, electro-magnetic stirring machines, refinery equipment and casting machines etc., 1+1+4 continuous hot rolling mill, 1+5 continuous hot rolling mill/three-stand and single-stand cold rolling mills with patent CVC flatness control imported from Germany SMS Group. Staral also placed large investments for high performance assisting equipment.
Staral’s main products are series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. The main products are ultra wide aluminum alloy plate, aluminum alloy medium plate, aluminum alloy heckered plate, aluminum alloy brazing plate, aluminum coil, aluminum tube, aluminum profile, aluminum circle, aluminum forges, etc.
Staral has a large number of 5083/5052 aluminum alloy plates in stock, welcome to consult us and order.