What is the difference between steel, aluminum and brass sheet metal?

Introduction 

 

Metal Sheets have been part of the manufacturing industry for years. Their next-level fabrication support nurtures many real-life applications. The sheet plates are not limited to steel or brass; many alloys of Aluminum or steel are also used. The machining processes shape them into different products. Today, we have three of the most famous sheet plates. Are you ready to dive into steel vs. Aluminum vs. brass? Let’s compare all three options and know the differences.

 

What is Stainless Steel?

 

Who doesn’t know that steel very well? It is still dominating the kitchenware tools. 

 

So, what is stainless steel? In actuality, it is an alloy of carbon steel. The drawback of carbon is that it rusts over time when it comes in contact with water.

 

Adding 10% or more chromium to steel provides stainless steel. The chromium addition eliminates rusting concerns and provides a better finish and structure. 

 

Stainless Steel is more than just a bunch of metal parts that don’t keep the rust. Instead, it has excellent shaping capabilities. You can deform it and convert it into various materials in machining.

 

The recent popularity of stainless steel sheets has made it a famous choice for different applications.

 

Steel sheet grades

 

Steel sheets come in different grades. You can dig up the following options of steel sheets.

• 304 Stainless Steel
• 316 Stainless Steel
• 410 Stainless Steel
• 430 Stainless Steel

 

What is Aluminum?

 

Like steel, Aluminum is famous and has contributed to daily household applications. It nurtures the life of railings and home windows.

 

Some key features of the aluminum sheets include:

• They are corrosion-resistant. Therefore, the probability of rusting is relatively low. But remember, aluminum sheets can also catch rust in case of continuous exposure to moisture.
• Aluminum is lightweight, which has led to its increased use in windows and frames. Some kitchenware products also contain Aluminum.

 

Aluminum sheets offer good shape-changing facilities to factories. Therefore, many applications require a high-end surface finish.

 

Aluminum Grades

 

Aluminum sheets come in different grades with different features. At this point, we have listed four critical grades of Aluminum.

• 1100-H14 Aluminum
• 3003-H14 Aluminum
• 5052-H32 Aluminum
• 6061-T6 aluminum

 

What is Brass?

 

Brass is as famous as Aluminum and steel. It is not a pure metal; brass comprises two central metals: copper and zinc.

 

The addition of such metals gives it the following features.

• Durable. The high tensile strength of brass is well-known in the industry. The addition of copper and zinc both increase the overall strength of the brass.
• Malleable. Keep the brass sheets under as they respond well without breaking down. Therefore, they are effective for producing different products.

 

All you have heard about brass capabilities until now, but it has one drawback, too. It gets black tarnish whenever it comes in contact with moisture. 

 

If you use brass for decorative purposes, prepare for continued polishing your materials.

 

Steel vs. Aluminum vs. Brass: Ultimate Differences

 

We have sorted out the individual differences between the steel, Aluminum, and brass sheets and added tables to help you understand.

 

Steel vs. Aluminum

 

Steel and Aluminum have comparable applications in our daily lives. At times, you have to decide between the metals. For this concern, you must know:

• The strength of both materials
• Availability of features for the given products
• Shape-changing capabilities 
• Easy metal working

 

Aluminum is a soft metal with lightweight properties. That means you can deploy aluminum sheets in all applications requiring lightweight yet good strength. Moreover, the surface finish is also next-level, enhancing the beauty of your products. Therefore, Aluminum is a good choice for consumer goods compared to steel.

 

Steel is a hard metal owing to its elegant strength of molecules. The addition of chromium makes it rust-resistant as well. Steel is the primary choice for all durable applications, such as aerospace products. But remember, it has a higher weight than aluminum sheets.

 

We have made a table to help you better understand the differences between both metals.

 

Property	Steel	Aluminum
Composition	Iron with carbon (up to 2.1%)	Pure aluminum. Sometimes, its alloys with copper, magnesium, silicon, manganese, and zinc
Density	~7.85 g/cm³	~2.70 g/cm³
Strength	High tensile strength	Lower tensile strength
Corrosion Resistance	Varies; stainless steels are highly resistant, and carbon steels can rust	Naturally forms a protective oxide layer; highly resistant, can be anodized for extra protection.
Magnetic Properties	Often magnetic	Non-magnetic
Thermal Conductivity	Lower than aluminum	Higher than steel
Electrical Conductivity	Lower than aluminum	Higher than steel
Machinability	More difficult to machine and form	Easier to machine and form
Weight	Heavier; higher density	Lighter; lower density
Cost	Cost-effective for structural applications	Expensive per unit weight
Common Applications	Construction, automotive, infrastructure, industrial equipment	Aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, construction

 

Steel vs. Brass

 

Steel and brass are very different regarding applications, uses, and features.

 

For example, stainless steel is a hard metal with a high strength. Therefore, you can use it in applications where hardness and durability are the first choice. Moreover, its corrosion resistance features stand it out compared to the brass.

 

On the other hand, brass is less rigid than steel. Exposure to the external environment can tarnish its look, but don’t worry; it has some good features. Brass’s malleability is beyond words. You can use it for many applications, molding its shapes to required angles and better materials. Its excellent look and external lushness push its applications from durable to decorative. That means brass must be your first station if you are looking for decorative products.

 

Property	Steel	Brass
Composition	Iron with carbon (up to 2.1%) and other alloys sometimes.	Copper and zinc
Density	~7.85 g/cm³	~8.4-8.7 g/cm³
Strength	High tensile strength	Moderate strength
Corrosion Resistance	Varies; stainless steels are highly resistant, and carbon steels can rust	Good corrosion resistance
Magnetic Properties	Often magnetic	Non-magnetic
Thermal Conductivity	Lower than brass	Higher thermal conductivity
Electrical Conductivity	Lower than brass	Higher electrical conductivity
Machinability	More difficult to machine	Easier to machine and form
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Cost	Cost-effective	Expensive
Aesthetic Qualities	Functional, can be finished for aesthetic purposes	An attractive gold-like appearance
Common Applications	Construction, automotive, infrastructure, industrial equipment	Plumbing, electrical components, musical instruments, decorative items

 

Aluminum vs. Brass

 

Aluminum is famous for its high strength and lightweight. However, compared to brass, Aluminum is not very strong. It is a lightweight metal with various applications.

 

The ultimate corrosion resistance makes it a preferred choice for decorative pieces. Moreover, Aluminum is a cost-effective material compared to a similar range of brass materials.

 

Brass is undoubtedly an excellent material for glamor and surface finish. But it is not good corrosion-resistant. Exposure to the external environment can tarnish its surface appearance. The result is a black layering of material on its surface, causing a diminished glow of the surface.

 

Property	Aluminum	Brass
Composition	Pure aluminum or aluminum alloys	Copper and zinc
Density	~2.70 g/cm³	~8.4-8.7 g/cm³
Strength	Lower tensile strength	Moderate strength
Corrosion Resistance	Naturally forms a protective oxide layer; highly resistant, can be anodized for extra protection	Good corrosion resistance
Machinability	Easier to machine and form	Excellent machinability
Weight	Lightweight	Heavier
Cost	Less expensive than Brass	Expensive
Aesthetic Qualities	Silvery appearance can be anodized for color	An attractive gold-like appearance
Common Applications	Aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, construction	Plumbing, electrical components, musical instruments, decorative items

 

Who is the winner in steel, Aluminum, and brass sheet metal?

 

Different materials, different results! First, you have to decide on the following factors before you dive into the right decision.

• What is your goal? Is it strength or external glamor?
• Do you need a hard or soft material?
• What applications do you aim to manufacture with the material?
• Do you need to develop decorative pieces?

 

Deciding on all such purposes can result in an easy selection. For example, steel is a peerless choice if you need a durable aerospace product. It not only offers a high tensile strength but also increases the durability. The long life in continuous stress conditions saves you costs in the long run.

 

If you have decorative applications, there are two choices available to you.

• Brass
• Aluminum 

 

Aluminum has good corrosion resistance and offers excellent decoration, but it is not as good as brass. Moreover, if you choose brass, you will face the challenges of corrosion and heavy weight. However, the strength of brass is another pro!

 

You can only rely on one factor to decide between the metal sheets. Instead, conduct a comprehensive review of features to explore the right metal option. It is better to examine chemical and physical properties and set goals in advance.

 

Conclusion 

Selection of a suitable metal sheet can sometimes take time and effort. But assess your needs and be realistic about the demands. Bring in the metal that matters most to you according to price and purpose. Whether you choose steel or Aluminum in steel vs. Aluminum vs. brass, be sure of top-quality products.

AIXI Hardware supplies its consumers with flawless CNC machining opportunities. Our efforts allow you to access various applications in a single go. Our 100% precise machining ensures the high-quality shaping of your steel or aluminum sheets. Check it out now!