Aluminum vs. Steel

We often get asked by start-ups and or those designing new products on what the difference is between aluminum and steel for the design of their product. There are several physical properties and characteristics of aluminum and steel that set them a part and make them both ideal for different applications. Here is a list of the differences between the two metal materials:

Features Aluminum Steel
Conductivity Higher Lower
Corrosion Resistant Yes No
Magnetic No Yes
Malleability More Less
Melting Point Lower Higher
Recyclable Yes Yes
Reflectivity Good (polished state) Good (polished state)
Weight Lighter Heavier

If you have more characteristics to add, feel free to comment below!