Why Are Aluminum Extrusions Better Than Stainless Steel?
Aluminum proves to be a metal, with numerous engineering applications. When compared to steel, it presents a case. Notably, aluminum showcases strength, lightweight characteristics and excellent resistance to corrosion.
What sets aluminum apart is its ability to take on structures, which adds to its appeal. Additionally, choosing aluminum demonstrates an approach due to its recyclable nature and contribution to sustainability efforts.
Apart from these qualities, aluminum also exhibits resilience by recovering its shape after impacts and flexing gracefully under heavy loads. These unique properties make aluminum a superior choice for design engineers when compared to steel.
One of the advantages lies in the freedom it offers manufacturers. Aluminum extrusions can be crafted in a range of colors, shapes and physical features that perfectly align with project requirements. In contrast stainless steel extrusions excel primarily in applications requiring levels of corrosion resistance. However the ease with which aluminum extrusions can be designed, customized and tailored for purposes surpasses what steel can offer. On the other hand , steel extrusions often require modifications or machining for intricate applications.
As we continue our exploration we will delve into the reasons why aluminum extrusions outshine stainless steel counterparts.
Lightweight
Most people know that aluminum is lightweight. However, they don’t know that it’s lighter than steel by two-thirds, which is why automotive and aerospace engineers use it when making cars and planes. The metal’s lightweight nature makes it perfect for customers since it lowers operational costs.
Despite its lightweight nature, the metal has a strength of 35000 psi. Plus, manufacturers can apply specific forging skills to create aluminum extrusions as strong as steel. This is quite beneficial for users since they’ll get dependable aluminum extrusions at a less costly price than steel.
Unlimited Geometries
Aluminum extrusions have extraordinary design flexibilities. For instance, manufacturers can extrude extremely complex designs, allowing engineers to place materials where needed to create structures with optimum strength. Doing this helps minimize fabrication costs than would have been the case with steel. Many tube designs manufacturers produce that can’t be produced with steel. Those that can be produced using steel require complex processes and cost more. Aluminum extrusions therefore become more viable to use than steel with higher productivity and efficiency, thus securing its stand as an alternative to use in preference.
Unique Features
The characteristic of special shapes that could be used for different purposes emerges under the aluminum extrusion manufacture or processing. The unique properties henceforth seem to make aluminum pliable compared to steel among other factors. For instance, shaping products made from extruded aluminum is much easier unlike those produced using steel due to high malleability associated with aluminum.
For instance, in the case of bicycle wheel applications, aluminum extrusions are highly flexible and can be easily manipulated by users into hoops suitable for rimming a bike. Satellite cooling systems allow customers to perform complex bends as well as elaborative ones during the manufacturing process of their heat pipe cooling systems. Finally, tempering options available in most disposable medical devices allow surgeons to bend the extrusion during surgical processes.