Stainless steel and aluminum are two metal choices that come up a lot in the kitchen. What’s the difference between stainless steel and aluminum? Is one better than the other? Stainless Steel vs Aluminum: Ultimate Guide will tell you everything you need to know about these metals, including what they’re made of, how they differ from each other, and which is best for your needs.
Table of Contents
General Differences between Aluminum and Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is more expensive than aluminum.
Aluminum has a lower melting point and can be melted in an oven at around 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, while stainless steel melts between 1800 and 2500 degrees Fahrenheit. Although you’ll generally need to use a torch or other direct flame for heating metal alloys like this (which can be dangerous).
Stainless steel is less dense than aluminum. This means it will float on water while aluminum will sink.
Strength to weight ratio
Both steel and aluminum are incredibly strong. However, the strength to weight ratio of aluminum is much stronger than that of stainless steel. The reason behind this? Aluminum has a lower density compared to steel which means it’s lighter in weight despite its impressive strength. Aluminum is also more malleable than steel, which means it can be bent thinner without breaking.
Steel has a strength to weight ratio that’s about five times greater than aluminum. However, stainless steels are very heavy due to their density, making them harder to transport while using less material in the process of production compared with aluminum.
The combination of weight and strength makes aluminum a better choice for products that need to be light but durable. Aircrafts, bicycles, and cars are all commonly made with aluminum because it provides the perfect balance of these two characteristics.
Corrosion
Stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion than aluminum. Aluminum can corrode by reacting with water or other elements present in the atmosphere. This reaction results in an oxide film that will appear on its surface, which might eventually lead to pitting and erosion of the metal’s material properties if it continues for a long time without being treated. Stainless steel, on the other hand, forms a passive oxide layer that protects it from further corrosion and makes it more durable in different environments.
This does not mean that stainless steel is immune to corrosion. In fact, all metals corrode to some degree if left untreated. The key difference between stainless steel and aluminum is that aluminum will corrode faster than stainless steel, which is more durable.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity is the ability of a material to transmit heat. Stainless steel has a higher thermal conductivity than aluminum, meaning that it transmits heat better. This makes stainless steel a better choice for applications where heat needs to be transferred quickly, such as in cookware or engine parts.
However, aluminum is still a good thermal conductor when it comes to non-extreme applications. Aluminum is often the material of choice for things like household appliances, aluminum foil and soda cans.
Cost
Aluminum is typically cheaper than stainless steel. In fact, aluminum pans are often the first ones that people buy when they’re just starting out with cooking and don’t have a lot of money to spend on them. Although initially less expensive, you would need to replace those fairly quickly because their lifespan isn’t as long as a stainless steel pan.
Workability
One of the major differences between stainless steel and aluminum is workability. Stainless steel is much more difficult to work with than aluminum. It is tougher, harder, and has a higher melting point. This means that it is more difficult to form, cut, weld, and drill. Aluminum is softer and easier to work with than stainless steel.
Welding
There are many different types of welding processes that produce different results. Some examples include oxy-fuel, submerged arc welding, gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux cored wire, and more. The differences between the various methods is significant enough to where you should take some time to learn about them if you own a business or do any welding yourself.
Stainless steel and aluminum are two of the most common metals that are welded. They both have their own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to know which one is best for your specific welding project. In this article, we will take a look at the differences between stainless steel and aluminum welding.
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Thermal properties
Aluminum is a much better heat conductor than stainless steel. This means that if you’re cooking something on the stove, aluminum will get hotter faster and more evenly distribute heat to cook it quickly. You can also use an aluminum pot or pan for boiling water in half the time as compared with a stainless steel one. However, this property is the very reason why aluminum cookware should never be used for acidic foods like tomato sauce, vinegar or citrus juices.
For example, when you cook an acidic food in a stainless steel pot or pan it’s not directly exposed to aluminum so there are no issues with your meal. However aluminum can leach into these types of dishes and cause food to turn out metallic tasting.
What about stainless steel? It’s not as good of a heat conductor, so stainless steel pots and pans are often made with layers including copper or aluminum sandwiched in between the steel for better heating properties. You can even buy cookware that is entirely made from one type of metal. For example, tri-ply stainless steel cookware has a layer of aluminum sandwiched in between two layers of stainless steel, so it performs almost as well as an aluminum pot or pan, without the risk of leaching.
Electrical Conductivity
Both stainless steel and aluminum conduct electricity, but the rate at which it occurs varies between the metals. Aluminum is a better electrical conductor than stainless steel because of its smaller grain size and higher amounts of trace minerals contained in it. Stainless steels’ resistance to corrosion decreases its electric conduction while aluminum’s high conductivity makes for excellent wiring material.
Strength
Stainless steel is much more durable than aluminum. This means it can stand up to a lot of wear and tear, like repeated use or extreme conditions such as heat. Aluminum doesn’t hold up well in hot temperatures; the metal will deform when exposed to high levels of heat, which makes it unsuitable for cooking with.
Effect on Foods
Aluminum is less dense than most metals, which means that your food will heat up more quickly in it. This can be dangerous if you’re using aluminum pots and pans for cooking the dishes because metal conducts heat faster. You might end up burning yourself or overcooking things like meat or seafood! While stainless steel does conduct heat well, it doesn’t transfer it as quickly as aluminum so your food will be in contact with the heat source for a little longer, giving you more time to regulate the temperature.
Aluminum is also known to react with acidic foods and release toxins into the dish. This can cause discoloration or an off-taste in whatever you’re cooking.
Stainless steel, on the other hand, is non-reactive with acidic foods. This means that you can cook your favorite tomato sauce or lemon chicken in stainless steel pots and pans without worrying about toxins! Because of this property ,stainless steel is also considered to be safer for use by people allergic to certain metals like aluminum.
In addition to the difference in reactivity, stainless steel is also less likely to corrode or tarnish over time. Aluminum can start to show signs of wear and tear after prolonged use, but a good quality stainless steel pot or pan will last you for years without any problems!
The Key Test for Comparing Stainless Steel and Aluminum
The two metals are commonly compared, but what is the key test for distinguishing them? The difference between stainless steel and aluminum boils down to one factor: corrosion. Stainless steel is less prone to corroding in the presence of certain elements, while aluminum will corrode more quickly. This susceptibility to corrosion is determined by several factors, from the alloy to what environment it is exposed to. For example, an aluminum stove top will corrode more quickly if placed in a kitchen that has salt or chlorine-rich water sources nearby.
FAQs
Which is harder stainless steel or aluminum?
Stainless steel is harder than aluminum. It has a higher density and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. This means that it is less likely to deform when subjected to heat or pressure.
Will stainless steel rust?
Stainless steel does not rust and corrode in the same way as other metals, such as iron or aluminum. Rust is common when metal oxidizes after exposure to water and air over time.
Useful Video: 10 Differences Between Aluminum and Stainless Steel
Conclusion
In the end, both stainless steel and aluminum have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. If you’re trying to decide which material is right for your project, it’s important to consider all of the factors involved.
