Aluminum Products

The Differences Between Aluminum and Stainless Steel

Although Aluminum and stainless steel appear similar, these two metals are quite different. Here are a few of those differences to keep in mind for the next sheet metal project.

Strength to Weight Ratio

Aluminum is one third the weight of stainless steel

Aircrafts are made from Aluminum due to it being lightweight yet durable

Aluminum is not as strong as stainless steel

Cost of Metals

Aluminum is cheaper than stainless steel

Aluminum sheet metal takes less time and effort to refine

The steel industry has $900 billion turnover

Electrical Conductivity

Aluminum is an excellent conductor of electricity

High voltage power lines are made from Aluminum due to its high conductance, lightweight, and resistance to corrosion

Stainless steel is a poor conductor of electricity

Workability

Aluminum is cheaper to cut and form

Stainless steel’s high resistance to abrasion makes it challenging to work with

Thermal Properties

Aluminum becomes soft at 400 degrees

Stainless steel can be utilized at higher temperatures

Welding Capabilities

Stainless steel is quite easy to weld

Aluminum is quite difficult to weld

Corrosion Resistance

Aluminum has oxidation and corrosion resistance due to the passivation layer

Aluminum turns white and pits when oxidized

Stainless steel is made up of nickel, copper, chromium, and manganese. Chromium is an added agent that provides corrosion resistance

Stainless steel is non-porous making its resistance to corrosion much higher

Both Aluminum and stainless steel have a specific job when it comes to the fabrication of sheet metal. When you are deciding which metal is right for your next project, WRISCO is here to help you with everything you need.

Throughout history, Aluminum has proven to outperform steel, especially when it comes to the construction of cars, power lines, and aircrafts.

With WRISCO as your Aluminum and stainless steel product provider, you get the finest aluminum and stainless steel products. WRISCO is the go-to solution with over 100 years of supplying unmatched quality for our customers.

Curious as to how exactly aluminum sheets are made? Aluminum sheet is an essential material for several industries and is the most used form of industrial aluminum for aerospace, transportation, and construction. Reason being, aluminum offers a variety of benefits, from being lightweight to having incredible corrosion resistance. Aluminum can be made into plates or sheets, both of which can be easily recycled without losing any of its original properties. This is what makes aluminum the most efficient choice for a wide array of industrial applications, but how exactly is an aluminum sheet made? Let the aluminum sheet metal experts at WRISCO explain.

How Aluminum Sheet Is Made

When aluminum is passed between rolls, under immense pressure, it becomes thinner and longer. This simple process sets the basis for producing the following:

Aluminum Sheets
Aluminum Plates
Aluminum Foil

Rolling the aluminum begins by preheating the sheet ingots. Once the ingot is properly heated to rolling temperatures, the aluminum is then fed into a breakdown mill. From here, the sheet is rolled back and forth until the desired thickness is reduced to just a few inches. After the rolling process, the aluminum sheet is wound into a coil. These coils are cooled by passing them through several cold rolling mills. If needed, the coils are heated in a furnace to soften the aluminum sheet to produce the desired mechanical properties. Cold rolling the aluminum sheet is the final stage of the process.

Aluminum Sheet Advantages

The advantages of aluminum sheets go beyond just being lightweight. Without losing any of its properties, aluminum sheets provide benefits including:

Continuously Recyclable Sheet Metal

The biggest advantage of aluminum sheets is the ability to be continuously recycled. When recycling sheet aluminum, you save more than 90% of the energy required to produce a primary sheet of aluminum.

High-Performance Armor

Aluminum is used to make military-grade armor plates for the U.S. military. Aluminum armor has the ability to resist a .50 caliber round, which would pierce other materials.

Aluminum Sheet Gauge

From 0.008 inches to less than 0.25 inches thick is what determines a “sheet”. Any aluminum thinner is considered foil.

The Colder the Temperature, the Stronger the Aluminum

The colder the temperature, the more strength the aluminum gains.

Aluminum Sheet Applications

Aluminum sheets can be found all throughout the industrial industry. The applications for sheets include:

Packaging Industry

Aluminum sheets used to manufacture cans and packages.

Transportation Industry

Sheets of aluminum are consumed to manufacture panels for automobiles and tractor trailers.

Home Appliances

Majority of cookware and home appliances are sourced from aluminum sheets.

Building & Construction Industry

Aluminum sheets are used to produce products such as gutters, roofing, awnings, carports, and sidings.

Anodizing Aluminum Option

Anodizing is one of the most sought after coating options for aluminum sheets. Doing so creates a rich metallic appearance. Not to mention, anodizing lasts longer, looks better, and costs less. Sheet aluminum is capable of being color-anodized to black, gold, red, or whatever color you desire. You can also decide whether you want an etched matte finish or polished to sparkle.

When it comes to finding aluminum sheets and products that suit your specific needs, WRISCO is the go-to solution. With over 100 years of supplying unmatched quality aluminum products for our customers.

Get In Touch With WRISCO At (800) 627-2646 Today!

Tag Archives: Aluminum Products

What Are The Main Differences Between Aluminum And Stainless Steel