Are you wondering what would be the best metal to build with?
Many people group aluminum and steel together, when in reality, they are very different metals with different benefits. It is important to choose the one that will work best for your project.
Read on for the pros and cons of aluminum vs. steel.
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Aluminum Vs. Steel
In order to understand what metal is better, you have to compare the pros and cons of both metals. It’s not an easy question to answer, as both of them have their benefits and disadvantages.
Corrosion
Aluminum, unlike some other metals, is very resistant to corrosion or tarnishing. It doesn’t have a top coat or paint to seal it, but it also doesn’t need one. It will naturally fight off corrosion so you won’t need to worry about your material breaking down over time. Steel, on the other hand, normally needs a top coat or paint-over in order to seal it and protect it.
Flexibility
The malleability of aluminum is much more flexible than steel. During the spinning process, it can be manipulated very easily, whereas as steel can rip or break. Steel is not as flexible as aluminum, although it has an unmatched durability.
Weight
Even though aluminum may be more flexible, this means that it won’t be as durable as steel. Steel weighs on average 2.5x more than aluminum. This makes it an optimal choice if you are looking for a material that can withstand a lot of harsh circumstances.
Appearance
If appearance is something you are worried about, you will want to choose the metal that will look better with your project.
Aluminum tends to be more a gray color, whereas steel tends to be more silver. Because of the silver effect of steel, it has a shinier aspect that aluminum does not. Aluminum will tend to be duller and less bright than steel.
Cost
You may be looking to get a bargain for your buck. If you have a tight budget, you will want to go with the cheaper metal.
The cheaper metal, in most cases, will be steel. This ultimately depends on where you are receiving it from, but steel is generally cheaper than aluminum. This makes it a good choice in the long run because of it’s durability. The only downside, however, is that you will need to add a top coat to it which can be an added expense.
If you are looking to purchase from a company right now, a viable choice is to choose T Slot Extrusion to help start the framework for your project.
What Now?
You know the pros and cons of aluminum vs. steel. So, why keep waiting? Go find that perfect metal for your project and get started right now.
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