Aluminum & Stainless steel，how to choose?
Usually, we’re use aluminum and stainless
steel for the metal frame of outdoor furniture
What’s stainless steel?
Stainless steel is made up of iron,
chromium, nickel, manganese, and copper.It’s non-porous and
non-corrosive with higher resistance to rust as well.
But can it still stain? Yes. A scratch to
the surface can lead to rust.So can heated water that leaves deposits and chlorides found in
salt, water, cleaner and quaternary salts.But even
though the possibility to stain is there, it won’t rust, corrode or rust as easily as ordinary
steel.
What’s aluminum?
Aluminum has higher oxidation and corrosion
resistance because of passivation. When aluminum is oxidized,
its surface will turn white and will sometimes pit if used in some extreme
acidic or base environments.
Aluminum is more lightweight than other
metals and is strong.It’s
particularly strong when blended with alloy elements, hence being ideal for
structural parts and equipment housings as well as heavy gauge cookware.
Aluminum is also a great conductor of heat.
Differences Between Aluminum and
Stainless Steel:
1.Strength to weight ratio. Aluminum is
typically not as strong as steel, but it is also almost one third of the
weight.
2.Corrosion. Stainless steel is made up of
iron, chromium, nickel, manganese and copper.
The chromium is added as an agent to provide corrosion resistance. Also, because it is non-porous the resistance
to corrosion is increased. Aluminum has a high oxidation and corrosion
resistance mainly due to its passivation layer.
3.Thermal Conductivity. Aluminum has a much
better thermal conductivity (conductor of heat) than stainless steel.
4.Cost. Aluminum is typically cheaper than
stainless steel.
5.Workability. Aluminum is fairly soft and
easier to cut and form. Due to its resistance to wear and abrasion, Stainless
can be difficult to work with. Stainless steels are harder and are especially
harder to form than aluminum.
6.Welding. Stainless is relatively easy to
weld, while Aluminum can be difficult.
7.Thermal properties. Stainless can be used
at much higher temperatures than Aluminum which can become very soft above
about 400 degrees.
8.Electrical Conductivity. Stainless steel
is a really poor conductor compared to most metals. Aluminum is a very good
conductor of electricity. .
9.Strength. Stainless steel is stronger
than Aluminum (provided weight is not a consideration).
Goodwin outdoor furniture