When Would Aluminium Be a Better Choice Than Stainless Steel?
Are you wondering whether you should buy aluminium or stainless steel for your next DIY project? Read on and discover some of the circumstances under which using aluminium would be wiser. Use this information to help you to make an informed decision about which metal is best suited to the specific project that you would like to do.
When Weight Is Critical
Think about the specific product that you would like to make from the sheet metal that you buy. Buy sheet aluminium if the product needs to be very light, such as a model plane for your child. This is because aluminium is much lighter than stainless steel. Planes are even made from aluminum because its weight is so much lower than other metals.
When Heat Needs to Be Conducted
Both stainless steel and aluminium are thermal (heat) conductive. However, aluminium conducts heat at a faster rate than stainless steel can. This superior thermal conductivity can make aluminium suitable or unsuitable for your project. For instance, aluminium would be your metal of choice if you would like to fabricate a custom radiator for your vintage car. This is because such a radiator would do a good job of dissipating the heat generated by the engine of that car.
When You Have Improvised Tools
Many DIY projects may be conducted without the help of specialised tools, such as laser cutters. However, some materials, such as stainless steel, may be difficult to work with if you lack the proper tools. This is because stainless steel is very hard to bend or form. Aluminium is a better choice for a DIY project because it is softer than stainless steel. You will therefore find it easier to bend or cut aluminium into the shapes and sizes that you want even if you are using improvised tools.
When Funds Are Limited
Aluminium may be a better metal for your DIY project if you would like to keep costs down. This is because aluminium is usually more affordable to buy when compared to stainless steel. You will therefore be able to make some savings on materials if you opt for aluminium instead of stainless steel.
Think about the requirements of your project carefully. Pick aluminium for that project in case you notice that the circumstances above apply to your project. You can also contact aluminium suppliers for extra help in choosing the best material for your needs in case you are still undecided after reading this discussion.