ALUMINUM VERSUS CARBON STEEL

Aluminum and Carbon Steel are the two most popular materials used in solar mounting system. People have enjoyed discussing the difference between aluminum and carbon steel as well as debating which material is the right and best choice for their solar job. From my personal limited experience the following factors are important to consider when selecting material: cost,the strength of the structure and the life span.

COST OF ALUMINUM VS CARBON STEEL

Cost is always an essential factor to consider when making any product. The price of carbon steel and aluminum is continually fluctuating based on global supply and demand, however carbon steel is generally cheaper (per kilogram) than aluminum (eg. aluminum raw material price is three times than carbon steel raw material ). The cost of raw materials has a direct impact on the price of the finished structure. Normally in the end, under same design the cost difference between carbon steel and aluminum is approx.10-15%.

CORROSION RESISTANCE OF ALUMINUM VS CARBON STEEL

Solar mounting structures are frequently to work in a moist, damp or abrasive environment, that is to say the corrosion resistant is a necessary condition for structure. Aluminum's greatest attribute is that it is corrosion resistant especially after anodic oxidation,which means aluminum doesn't rust. Carbon steel usually need to be painted or hot dipping to protect it from rust and corrosion.Therefore aluminum’s chemical stability is better than HDG steel.

STRENGTH OF ALUMINUM VS CARBON STEEL

Aluminum is a very desirable metal because it is more malleable and elastic than steel. Aluminum can go places and create shapes that steel cannot, so for some special shape design, aluminum has an advantage over. On the other hand, steel is a very tough and resilient metal, if design has a very high request for strength, carbon steel would be a better choice. In solar mounting system, strength of aluminum is also sufficient for most of the conditions.

LIFE SPAN

Normally the life span for HDG carbon steel is 15 years while for aluminum is 25 years.

There is no denying that aluminum and carbon steel both have their own advantages, I do believe with the right design can help the both material find their proper position and make your solar returns in a maximize way.