Steel and aluminum are two of the most popular metals in the manufacturing industry but, if you are undertaking a fabrication project you may be debating about which one is the best choice.
After all, aluminum is known for being strong and light, making it a good choice for many projects, such as planes and cars that you are trying to keep as light as possible.
Understanding The Difference
If you visit a quality specialist in steel fabrication Sydney you will discover that steel is a mixture of iron and carbon. The iron is smelted first, and then all impurities are removed before carbon is added. The result is carbon steel that forms the basis of all other types of steel.
In contrast, aluminum is created from bauxite, mainly found in warmer climates. It is then smelted with a substance known as molten cryolite and literally given an electric shock. When the liquid cools, it is aluminum.
Strength
One of the biggest elements that you should consider is strength. Aluminum is strong but flexible. Steel is not flexible. It is rigid, unforgiving, and incredibly strong.
If you need strength, such as when creating buildings or structures to resist earthquakes and hurricanes, you need steel. Aluminum has much mess of carbon in it and is therefore much weaker than steel.
It should be noted that this is also what makes steel a great load-bearer. In fact, when steel is used buildings can be made without internal walls, allowing much greater scope for unique designs.
Non-Conductive
Steel is not conductive while aluminum is. Of course, this means there are situations where aluminum s the better choice. For example, in computer chips and similar electronic components. But, when you are dealing with electricity, and you don’t want to conduct it, such as with overhead power lines, steel is the only sensible choice.
Corrosion
It is important to note that aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion thanks to its high oxidization. However, steel is porous and more prone to corrosion. That shouldn’t stop you from using it, you simply need to acknowledge that steel needs to be powder coated or painted to protect it from corrosion.
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Melting Point
Aluminum is better at conducting heat, which could make it the better choice for your fabrication project. But, it will melt at a lower temperature than steel. In short, if you don’t want it to conduct heat or you need it to be resistant to high temperatures, then you should be choosing steel.
Of course, it can be difficult to select a metal when your fabrication project has elements that make either metal appealing. But, in general, you will find that steel will match aluminum for most fabrication jobs, it is simply heavier to put into position.
Image credit: choosing steel over aluminum for fabrication projects by envato.com
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