Aluminum VS. Steel
Aluminum and steel serve as the most common metals on earth. Their impact on our lives is enormous. We need them as raw materials for our food, appliances, transportation and weapons.
Therefore, what is the difference between them? How do we choose between steel and aluminum?
Let Hugh Aluminum take you on a journey to find the differences between the two today:
1. Weight and density of aluminum VS steel:
Aluminum has a relatively low density of around 2.70 g/cm³, whereas steel usually has a density of around 7.8 g/cm³. This means that for the same volume, aluminum products weigh much less than steel products.
2. Hardness and strength:
The hardness of aluminum varies according to the alloy composition. Generally, the hardness of aluminum varies between HB 60-150.
- Industrial pure aluminum (e.g. 1100, 1050, 1060 series) has a relatively low hardness, ranging from about HB 25-32.
- Duraluminum or wrought aluminum (e.g. 2024, 2A12, LY12, 2017 series) has a higher hardness, usually between HB 95-135.
- Among aluminum alloys, the hardness of superhard aluminum (e.g., 7075, 7A04 series) is generally around HB 150
Strength and hardness of steel:
The strength of steel consists mainly of yield strength and tensile strength. Yield strength is the maximum stress to which a material is subjected when it begins to deform plastically under the action of an external force, while tensile strength is the maximum stress to which a material is subjected in the process of stretching.
In general steel will be stronger and harder than aluminum.
Cost of steel vs. aluminum:
Aluminum is relatively inexpensive to mine, but can be more expensive to process, especially when complex machining or high precision machining is required. The cost of machining precision aluminum products can be greater than steel.
Mining and production costs for steel vary by region and technology level, but are generally relatively stable. Due to the widespread use and mass production of steel products, they are usually more cost-effective.
So, the price of steel will be lower for aluminum. But this needs to be judged according to your local market. Because certain countries are short of iron ore.
Applications of Aluminum VS Steel:
Aluminum due to its properties such as light weight and easy processing. It is widely used in aerospace, construction, automotive and electronics. For example, the fuselage of an airplane, the engine block of an automobile and other parts are often made of aluminum alloy.
Iron and steel in construction, bridges, machinery manufacturing, transportation and other fields occupy an important position. Such as high-rise buildings, bridges and railroad tracks. Its strength makes it more popular in the construction industry.
Final Summary:
Steel and aluminum differ in metal characteristics and price. Both of them are the most important metal materials in human society. When we choose a material we should compare steel and aluminum according to their characteristics. This way we can find the right material.
Which material to choose depends on the specific needs of the application. For example, when light weight and corrosion resistant material is required, aluminum is a better choice.
Whereas steel is more suitable when high strength and wear resistance is required. At the same time, cost is also one of the important factors to consider when choosing a material.
