How It’s Made: Aluminized Steel
Aluminized steel is widely regarded as one of the best materials for manufacturing. Aluminized steel is dependable, corrosion-resistant, and sustains toughness at temperatures of up to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit. With qualities like these, it’s no wonder why aluminized steel is so easy to find in everyday life. Even so, there can be quite a bit of mystery regarding the process of aluminizing steel. What goes into creating aluminized steel? And, why is it so sought as a manufacturing material? Today, we want to take a moment and address these questions. In this month’s blog post, we’ll be discussing why we aluminize steel and the process that goes into the creation of aluminized steel.
Why We Aluminize Steel
First, the answer you know: we aluminize steel to make it into a better material for construction and manufacturing. To be more specific, though, we aluminize steel to combine the best properties of aluminum and the best properties of steel into a material that is superior than either could be on its own. For instance, while aluminum possesses stunning corrosion, it’s not nearly as strong as steel. By contrast, steel is incredibly strong, but is vulnerable to corrosion. Aluminizing steel addresses both weak points by bonding the different metals together, resulting in a material that is perfect for applications such as:
- Cookware
- Furnaces
- HVAC
- Fireplaces
Additionally, in comparison to materials of similar qualities, aluminized steel is much more cost efficient, making this material the go-to for manufacturers everywhere.
Hot-Dip Aluminizing
The process of making aluminized steel is mainly defined by what’s referred to as hot-dip aluminizing. As the name suggests, this process entails melting aluminum in a pool or vat, maintaining its temperature, and then dipping steel products into the pool of aluminum. The aluminum (which is often an aluminum silicon alloy) then bonds to the steel, and when the steel product is removed, it’s coated in a shiny layer of aluminum. Then, after the aluminum is left to cool, the aluminized steel is coated with an additional layer of steel and ready for use.
Are you interested in procuring your own high-quality aluminum steel from one of the nation’s leading steel manufacturers? If so, Atlas Steel is here to provide. For more information on the products we offer and what processes we go through, contact us today for more information.
