When discussing aluminum and stainless steel, we mention the two major favorites for industries, for different manufacturing processes. They are alloys used mainly for their versatility and resistance to corrosion. These materials are basic products in the metals industry. To know when it is better to use one or the other, we have to analyze the result we are looking for, as well as compare their main characteristics such as composition, mechanical properties and the cost of each one to make the best choice for our company or corporation, without losing the ultimate goal of providing quality products or services.
Although stainless steel and aluminum may look similar, it is necessary to know every aspect of these metals, as each one offers special features that can benefit a specific industry, each metal has its own weight, durability, its resistance to corrosion and many other specific advantages.
Main characteristics of aluminum and stainless steel
Some of the most notable features of stainless steel are the following:
- It contains a minimum presence of chromium, close to 11%.
- It is a ferrous alloy, this means it has a good presence of iron in its chemical composition.
- It generally contains some magnetic properties, which help in certain processes and products.
- It has a high tensile strength, which is the property that materials have to transform before breaking.
Stainless steel also has a large division of grades and finishes that have their own special features. The main qualifications of this material are made through a serial number. Then they are assigned a numerical rating, which divides the grades of steel according to their composition, physical properties and applications. The most popular grades are stainless steel 304 and 316.
Characteristics and outstanding properties of Aluminum:
- It is a metal that does not have magnetic properties.
- Material with low density, so it is lightweight and easy to transport.
- It has excellent resistance to corrosion and does not degrade easily.
- It has high levels of conductivity, both thermal and electrical.
- It is a non-ferrous alloy, which means it does not contain iron.
Thanks to its low tensile strength, other materials and elements can be added to this alloy to give it superior benefits that are of special benefit to different products and industries. The most commonly used alloys of aluminum are 3003 and 3004.
Aluminum vs Stainless Steel, which should I use?
Although both types of metals have extraordinary properties that can serve for any product or instrument. It is necessary to know the differences between each of them to know which material is better to work with.
Key differences between these elements
Difference in strength between these metals
If you are looking for a stronger material, you should know that stainless steel is heavier and stronger. Even aluminum weighs 1/3 of what the other alloy weighs; however, aluminum has a better strength-to-weight ratio.
Higher thermal conductivity and electrical effectiveness
Another highlighted point in aluminum is that it has excellent conductivity properties, both electrical and thermal, only copper has better thermal conductivity. While steel is a poor electrical conductor due to its dense anti-oxidation protective layer.
Cost analysis between these metals
To start, aluminum is much more expensive than stainless steel, if you analyze the price in terms of weight; however, if our goal is to get more volume of material, then aluminum ends up being more profitable because more product is obtained with each purchase.
Greater heat resistance by these alloys
For this point it is worth noting that stainless steel has a much greater resistance to heat, as it has a melting point of 2500 ℉. While aluminum becomes very soft when certain degrees of heat are applied. However, it has an advantage over stainless steel in cold conditions, as its tensile strength increases as the temperature decreases. This does not happen with steel, as it becomes brittle.
Corrosion resistance they present
A fundamental point when choosing the metal we need to work with. The main thing to know is that aluminum does not rust; however, it corrodes easily when exposed to salt. While stainless steel is very resistant to corrosion and does not rust easily. In addition, it is not porous, which gives it even greater resistance to this metal wear.
Extra point: Environmental impact and the possibility of being recycled
Stainless steel is known to be recyclable, which covers one of the most sought-after aspects for companies today. Mainly because of its magnetic characteristics, it is what makes it a suitable material for recycling. Also, the properties of steel allow it to remain unchanged in its structure no matter how many times it is used.
However, discarded aluminum is more valuable than any other material for recycling. This metal contains the highest amount of recyclable properties of all materials of this type. Almost 75% of all that has been produced of this metal, is still being used today, as it can be recycled over and over again.
At Ulbrinox we are proud to supply the industry with the best aluminum and steel alloys on the market. Don't forget to check our catalog! If you have any questions, write to us in our online chat, where our experts will give you the personalized attention you deserve. We have more than 20 years providing global solutions.
