Tag: aluminum facts

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6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Aluminum and Steel

Different Kind Of Metallic Profiles

What are the important factors to consider when choosing between aluminum or steel?

  1. Durability
  2. Strength
  3. Corrosion Resistance
  4. Versatility
  5. Weight
  6. Cost

 

Aluminum and steel are some of the most utilized metals across different industries for a multitude of products and building projects. Steel is popular because of its high tensile strength, low cost, and recyclability. But don’t go calling your local stainless steel supplier right away because aluminum can still make a case for its worth.

Aluminum is the third most abundant metal in the earth’s crust. It also has the best strength-to-weight ratio and is unbeatable when it comes to the variety of its uses: automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle parts. It is also used in aircraft design and architectural moldings. Like steel (especially the stainless kind), it is also a very environmentally efficient metal which makes using either metal good for the environment.

 

  • Durability

The first and most apparent factor you are going to have to take into consideration is durability. Metals are typically known for their durability, but not all of them have the same kind of durability. The ability to withstand wear and tear, pressure, or damage varies from metal-to-metal and when it comes to steel and aluminum, there are some notable differences.

 

  • Strength

Metal Railing At The Facade Building Monochrome

Tensile strength is the name of the game when it comes to durability, and in that regard, steel is king. Tensile strength is the maximum amount of stretching or pulling a metal can withstand before it breaks or is permanently damaged. Without getting into specifics, steel and all of its sub-categories have a higher tensile strength than aluminum and its derivatives. This is by no means an indication that aluminum is a weak metal that easily breaks — steel is just a bit stronger.

 

  • Corrosion Resistance

Luckily for aluminum, tensile strength is not the only way to evaluate durability. Resistance to corrosion is also important to consider because metals become susceptible when exposed to the elements. Corrosion is a natural process that converts refined metals to a more chemically stable form (think of your oxides and sulfides).

That being said, steel is an alloy that is made up of refined metals like iron and copper, so they are pretty susceptible to rust. Despite that, the more popular derivative, stainless steel, has chromium added to its alloy formula to give it an anti-corrosion layer. This pretty much solves the corrosion problem.

Meanwhile, aluminum has an edge over steel in this regard because it does not contain steel or iron, meaning it does not rust. The thing is, rust is just one kind of corrosion that affects metals. Aluminum, when exposed to weathering and atmospheric oxygen, can oxidize and produce a layer of aluminum oxide. What’s interesting to note here is that aluminum oxide actually protects the metal from further corrosion. What this means is that the more aluminum corrodes, the more it is protected from further corrosion.

Either way, you really cannot go wrong. Both metals are competitively durable and have a good level of corrosive resistance. The important part here is knowing what kind of elements are present in the environment you are going to use the metal in before deciding which to use.

 

  • Versatility

Shiny Silver Metallic Textured Background

Versatility is where things start to favor aluminum. The “miracle metal” is well known for its malleability. This means it can be successfully de/reformed and bent into a variety of custom shapes or profiles without suffering noticeable breaks or cracks. Aluminum is also very ductile, allowing it to be stretched without breaking.

When it comes to temperature, aluminum is also the more versatile choice because it becomes harder as temperatures go lower. Steel, meanwhile, tends to become a little more brittle under cold temperatures and that affects its aforementioned tensile strength. Both metals and alloys have no problem withstanding high temperatures though and should hold up even in a fire. Just avoid touching it.

 

  • Weight

As previously stated, steel is stronger across the board, but aluminum wins the strength-to-weight ratio. This is why aluminum becomes the better choice in the production of transportation modes such as aircraft, automobiles, and locomotives. Lower weight means better fuel efficiency and faster speeds.

Steel, on the other hand, is heavy and is better for solid structures requiring stability and foundational strength. Seeing both metals incorporated in a multitude of ways isn’t an uncommon sight as products, buildings, and pretty much anything that can be built will always be better with steel and aluminum parts working together to full effect.

 

 

  • Cost

Stainless Steel Entrance Guard At Apartment Entrance

Lastly, cost should always be taken into consideration when choosing a metal to use for your respective purposes. In this regard, steel is usually less expensive, but it still depends on what kind of steel you are looking to get. Your run of the mill steel and carbon steel are less expensive than aluminum, while stainless steel is pricier. It all depends on your budget and the specific job you are going to use it for.

 

Key Takeaway

Steel and aluminum have their advantages and disadvantages, but what both have in common is that they are products of metallurgical ingenuity and are good for a number of different industrial purposes.

It all boils down to what you need to do, what your budget is, and what specific particulars you are going to be dealing with. Tailor your choice according to those, and you should be good to go.

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6 Reasons Behind Aluminum’s Growing Popularity

6 Reasons Behind Aluminum’s Growing Popularity

What are the reasons behind aluminum’s growing popularity?

  1. Aluminum market
  2. Used in packaging
  3. Consumer goods
  4. Passed CAFE standards
  5. Alloys
  6. Everyday strength

The versatility of aluminum is so incredibly vast. This is essentially why it’s often regarded as one of the favored metals among aluminum suppliers in the Philippines. Aluminum can be processed in so many different ways and is often used in different applications where high strength and durability are critical considerations. It’s lightweight and malleable properties even make it the popular metal we use in our day-to-day living. Read on to know more reasons why aluminum is continuously becoming popular all around the world.

 

Aluminum Market

Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements that can be found on the earth’s crust. The bauxite ore is mined and refined into a powder which is then smelted into aluminum. The metal is a common commodity traded in many metal exchanges. Its total price often varies with the market, often with an overall much better value than other metals.

Aluminum is also a highly recyclable material, which means costs can be frugal for both metal and fabrication over long periods of time. It’s increasingly becoming a global market titan with the rise of companies like One Sky in the Philippines. Aluminum adds value to automotive markets while also filling the void on lower margin, commodity type grades.

 

Used in Packaging

Used In Packaging

As everyday consumers, we often see aluminum in different kinds of packaging as it holds heat and lightweight materials. One of the most common items we use is aluminum foil. In making a roll of aluminum foil, aluminum first passes through rolling mills at a particular pressure to get the right thickness. It is then later cooled and sent to a chilled rolling mill to prevent breakage.

Aluminum foil is also present in most homes and food industries. With everyday use, it helps pack food as well as line cooking pots and pans. Not only does it retain its temperature, but it also protects it. Aluminum prevents oxygen, moisture, and bacteria from damaging the food.

 

Consumer Goods

The appearance of aluminum is often used in consumer goods like smartphones, tablets, and flat-screen TVs. Its sophisticated appearance makes modern gadgets look sleek while at the same time light and durable.

Interior designers use aluminum because it’s easy to shape and looks aesthetically pleasing when making furniture items like lamps, chairs, and decorative panels. More and more, aluminum is replacing plastic and steel components, simply due to the fact that it is stronger than plastic and lighter than steel. It allows heat to disappear quickly, keeping it from overheating.

 

Passed CAFE standards

Passed Cafe Standards

Among some of the common materials used in manufacturing vehicles, aluminum is the most promising material to guide automakers towards raising their awareness of the new fuel-economy standards. In 2013, more automotive companies are looking for ways to increase fuel economy since CAFE or Corporate Average Fuel Economy decided to adopt new standards. Some of the solutions have prominently featured the aluminum material.

Although it is one-third of the weight of steel, utilizing aluminum largely reduces the mass of a vehicle while still maintaining its strength. It can also be treated in many ways and combined into various alloys meeting specific needs.

 

Alloys

There are different kinds of aluminum alloys that can give outstanding surface quality, resistant to corrosion, and high strength to weight ratio.

6000 series aluminum is alloyed with magnesium and silicon and heat treatable, allowing it to be hardened after forming. It also performs well during crash or safety tests.

The 5000 series or non-heat treatable aluminum is also alloyed with magnesium, but this time, exhibits moderate-to-good strength, great resistance to corrosion, and welding characteristics. Its applications range from fuel tanks to marine applications, truck trailers, architectural panels, and some non-critical parts for automotive purposes.

Next, the 3000 series non-heat treatable material is associated with moderate strength as a general purpose alloy. It’s one of the preferable alloy series because it’s inexpensive formability makes for a uniform appearance.

Lastly, the 1000 series is also known as commercially pure aluminum. The extreme malleability makes it a good material for electricity, food and chemical handling, and even lighting. It is the softest among the common alloys that are perfectly suitable for projects where deep drawing quality is necessary.

 

Everyday Strength

Everyday Strength

Aluminum’s strength and durability are also trusted by companies like One Sky Philippines for some of the most extreme uses imaginable. Aluminum is used in window frames and curtain walls of some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

The material itself is so versatile that it is even used in making airplanes, buses, trucks and even ocean liners. In short, every day, people around the world trust aluminum’s astounding capabilities whether they’re aware of it or not.

 

Key Takeaway

Many aluminum suppliers in the Philippines will tell you that there are countless uses and products of aluminum which no other metal can compare. Aluminum can be found in everyday convenience items that are small and useful, as well as provide strength and stability to larger and costlier productions like cars, gadgets, and even construction.

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How Aluminum Changed the World for Good

How Aluminum Changed The World For Good

How has aluminum changed the world for the better?

  1. Better for all types of transportation
  2. Great material for Architecture
  3. Conductor of Electricity
  4. Easy Recyclability
  5. Creates job opportunities for the people

 

 

Aluminum in the Philippines started as one of the world’s most expensive metals with the two reasons: One, it’s difficult to refine, two, it is made up of eight percent of the world’s crust. As time passes by, it became one of the cheapest materials after mass production was invented in the late 19th century.

You may not know about this but everything we use on a daily basis is made of aluminum. The soda cans that we drink, the furniture installed in the house, the gadgets we use, and even transportation, aluminum is present, leading us to the question: what makes aluminum such a brilliant and useful material? Here are the reasons why Aluminum completely changed the world for good:

 

 

Better For All Types Of Transportation

Better for All Types of Transportation

Aluminum is a third of the weight of steel, which means aluminum would be better for all types of transportation and it provides environmental solutions for it. Transportation takes up nineteen percent of the energy we use and by using lighter materials such as aluminum, energy consumption can be reduced. The aluminum industry is also responsible for researching and producing new body shells for high-speed trains, buses, and airplanes. Using aluminum means lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions and demand for raw materials and makes the low weight of cars the greatest global saving potential.

 

 

Great Material for Architecture

Aluminum has not been a widely used material for architecture since the beginning of the 20th century due to high cost. Afterward, it became a popular metal for structural applications and numerous building components such as doors, windows, sliding, to name a few. Thanks to the new innovative processes by aluminum suppliers from conducting research for mass producing aluminum, architects began experimenting with the material in creating some of the famous buildings we see today as the Empire State Building in New York. The base, interior, lobby, and finishes of the building’s structure were completed with aluminum.

 

 

Conductor Of Electricity

Conductor of Electricity

Aluminum has an electrical conductivity that is high enough to use as an electrical conductor. One-third of its weight can perform twice as much electricity when compared to other metals of the same weight. In electrical conduction, materials can generally be split into two categories, mainly, conductors or materials that allow electrons to move freely when a charge is applied and Insulators meaning electricity flow easily through conductors and not insulators.

Aluminum is a great conductor of electricity when in fact it is the fourth best metal conductor behind gold, copper, and silver. Aluminum foil is a useful conductor for its material electrical properties and an insulator in building construction due to its reflective properties. This creates an electric current in the metal.

 

 

Recyclability

Aluminum offers unique recycling without losing its quality over time. Aluminum suppliers recommend using the metal for a multitude of different products ranging from transportation, window frames, and food packaging like drinking cans. Recycling aluminum materials save enough energy and as well as avoid the mining of Bauxite or the primary ore of aluminum.

Making usable, shiny aluminum from Bauxite that you’ve dug from the ground is a dirty and energy-intensive process. The aluminum industry is keen on recycling aluminum because it’s quicker, cheaper, and easier to melt down as opposed to processing Bauxite. This is the central reason why it’s much better for the environment, due to the simple fact that it saves a huge amount of energy and not to mention, precious resources.

 

 

Creates Job Opportunities For The People

Creates Job Opportunities for the people

Aluminum is a material made suited to meet its needs in the 21st century. From fuel efficiency and reusable packaging to green building products. Aluminum paved its way on the global market, thus, it is greatly used in hundreds of industries especially in the field of transportation, aerospace, building, construction, and even scientific research careers.

It also includes work in the manufacturing sector of primary, secondary, and aluminum alloy production. Workers in the aluminum industry can earn an average annual compensation higher than that of the national average. Aluminum processing jobs are consistently increasing in many areas including the production of sheet, plate, and foil products.

 

 

Key Takeaway

Aluminum in the Philippines is a big deal in today’s society and without it, we wouldn’t have the things we use in our daily lives. Whether in forms of transportation, technology, and the materials we utilize every day in our households.

One lesson we can also learn from the history of aluminum along with its industry is that it is very unique. A metal that is once an expensive yet weak and malleable metal became one of the most popular structural materials heavily used by different industries over the past century.

Aluminum is cheap and affordable but more importantly, a valuable metal that we need to learn how to value more. We should learn to appreciate it more and contribute to its rising development.

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6 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Aluminum

6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Aluminum

What are the things that you probably didn’t know about aluminum?

  1. It is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust
  2. It used to be considered more precious than gold
  3. It takes a long time to decompose
  4. It can be recycled an almost unlimited number of times
  5. It was highly prevalent during World War II
  6. Other interesting facts

 

 

Aluminum was discovered during the early 1800s, but did you know that it wasn’t until 1825 that it was finally fabricated as a usable material? In fact, it took until the middle of the 19th century before the first production process for aluminum was established.

Experts in the industry, as well as aluminum profile suppliers in the Philippines and other countries, consider this metal as one of the “youngest,” but in reality, aluminum silicates were used as early as 5,300 B.C. Ancient Persians used aluminum silicates to make their cooking vessels and even made use of aluminum oxide clays for first aid, to dye fabric, and to tan hides.

In addition to these facts, here are six more things you probably didn’t know about aluminum:

 

 

It Is the Most Abundant Metal in the Earth’s Crust

According to the University of Wisconsin, aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust, accounting for about eight percent of its total weight! In addition, it is also the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust after oxygen and silicon.

While aluminum is indeed abundant, it is rarely found in its true form. Instead, it is usually found in combination with other materials in the form of an ore called bauxite. And despite the overwhelming amount of aluminum that is present on Earth, there are no known life forms that make use of it for their biological function.

 

 

It Used to Be Considered More Precious Than Gold

It Used to Be Considered More Precious Than Gold

During the mid-19th century, aluminum was considered a precious metal. In fact, because there was still no established way to extract pure aluminum from the earth, it was said to be even more precious than gold!

As the story goes, Emperor Napoleon III had aluminum plates and cutlery that were reserved for his most honored guests, leaving his lesser important guests to eat on “lowly” gold dinnerware. In addition, the capstone of the famous Washington Monument is actually made of solid aluminum; it was even the largest amount of aluminum ever cast at the time of its construction.

 

 

It Takes a Long Time to Decompose

One thing about aluminum that many people probably don’t know is that it takes a long time to decompose. Aluminum is a metal, and just like many other metals and metal alloys, it only starts to decompose after a minimum of 80 to 100 years. Usually, though, aluminum cans and other aluminum products will only fully degrade after a few hundred years.

 

 

It Can Be Recycled an Almost Unlimited Number of Times

Aluminum does not have any limitations as to how many times you can recycle it which makes it the perfect material to reuse and recycle. Because aluminum is recycled by melting it down into a liquid form and then cast and molded into new objects, it allows the metal to be melted down again and again without fail.

At the end of every recycling process, the aluminum metal that is produced will be good as new again. Through this highly-efficient recycling process, even if mines and processing plants were to suddenly stop making new aluminum, there will still probably be enough of it to supply the worldwide demand.

 

 

It Was Highly Prevalent During World War II

It Was Highly Prevalent During World War II

This valuable metal was used in the construction of ship infrastructure, aircraft, and millions of mess kits during World War II. There were even “aluminum foil drives” implemented in the United States during this time in order to contribute to the war effort. This included an offer of free movie tickets in exchange for aluminum foil balls.

 

 

Other Interesting Facts About Aluminum

Aside from those already mentioned above, here are some things about aluminum that are fascinating to know about!

  • In his 1865 science-fiction novel, Journey to the Moon, writer Jules Verne describe a space rocket made with aluminum.
  • A single Boeing-747 can contain up to 147,000 pounds of aluminum.
  • Space shuttles were launched in the 1980s with rocket boosters that used aluminum oxide.
  • On its own, aluminum is quite weak so it is combined with other metals to give it more strength. And out of the hundreds of aluminum alloys available, seven are most commonly used in the manufacturing of the metal.

 

 

Key Takeaway

Aluminum has become one of the most widely used and abundant metals today. Thanks to the various advancements in its production process, it has become an important component of numerous items, from soda cans to truck frames and aircraft parts.

So now that you are all caught up with all of these interesting aluminum facts, hopefully  you have gained a better insight about this revolutionary material the next time you drop by your aluminum profile supplier here in the Philippines for your next projects.