Density, Strength-to-Weight Ratio, Manufacturability, etc.
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Aluminum | Steel | |
---|---|---|
Material Properties | Less dense than steel | 2.5 time denser than aluminum, Higher Modulus of Elasticity |
Strength-to-Weight Ratio | Typically not as strong as steel, but 1/3 the weight | Steel is strong and is less likely to warp, deform, or bend under weight, force, or heat. 3x heavier |
Cost | Cheaper | More expensive |
Manufacturability | Much more malleable than steel. Aluminum becomes stronger in cold weather | -High resistance to wear and abrasion, more difficult to handle, high hardness, harder to form than aluminum |
Thermal Properties | Becomes soft above 400 degrees, Melting Point: 660 °C | Steel has much higher temperature capacities , Melting point: ~1500 °C |