The Difference Between Aluminum and Stainless Steel

If you take a step back and look at them both, you’ll see that aluminum and stainless steel look a lot alike. You might even mistake one for the other if you just glance at them quickly. Nevertheless, you should know that there are quite a few differences that set aluminum and stainless steel apart. Let’s check out a few of the key differences that make them so different.

Stainless steel is stronger than aluminum.

If strength and durability are your main concerns when trying to decide between aluminum and stainless steel, you’re quickly going to find that stainless steel is the stronger option. There aren’t many things that can compete with stainless steel in the strength department.

Aluminum weighs much less than stainless steel.

Although stainless steel is stronger than aluminum, that shouldn’t come as a huge shock when you see how heavy stainless steel is. It often weighs about three times as much as aluminum does. This is why you’ll usually find things like airplanes made out of mostly aluminum. Aluminum is still plenty strong and doesn’t bring all the extra weight that stainless steel does.

Stainless steel costs more than aluminum.

If you’re worried about how much you’re going to have to spend on stainless steel or aluminum, aluminum is often times going to be your best bet. In most cases, it’s a lot cheaper than stainless steel is, though it all depends on where you purchase it from and how much of it that you need.

Aluminum conducts electricity much better than stainless steel.

Compared to most of the other metals that are out there, stainless steel doesn’t do a very good job with regards to conducting electricity. Aluminum, on the other hand, is an excellent conductor of it. If you’re searching for a metal that can be used to conduct electricity, aluminum is going to be the right choice for you.

Would you like to discover some of the other things that make aluminum different from stainless steel? Eagle Alloys can set you up with additional information on aluminum and provide you and your company with it if you’re in need of it. Call us at 800-237-9012 to find out more about aluminum.