Coated Metal Sheets - Aluminum VS Steel

Color coated metal sheets usually refer to products made by applying one or more layers of organic paint to the surface of a metal substrate (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.) after pretreatment and then baking and curing. This kind of coated sheet metal is named because it is coated with various different colors of organic coatings, of which the more common is color coated steel sheets (PPGI, i.e. Prepainted Galvanized Steel), and color coated aluminum sheets are also one of them.

Color coated aluminum sheets and color coated steel sheets are commonly used materials in the construction and manufacturing industries, and they each have different properties and application scenarios. The following is a comparison of these two materials:

1. Material composition

- Color coated aluminum sheet: mainly made of aluminum alloy, the surface is coated to increase aesthetics and corrosion resistance.

- Color coated steel sheet: made of steel, usually cold rolled or hot rolled steel coil.

2. Weight

- Color coated aluminum sheet: aluminum has lower density, light weight, easy to transport and install.

- Color coated steel sheet: steel has higher density and relatively heavier weight, which needs to be considered for transportation and installation.

3. Corrosion resistance

- Color coated aluminum sheet: Aluminum itself has good corrosion resistance, and the surface coating further enhances its weather resistance.

- Color coated steel coils: usually need antirust treatment (such as galvanization) to improve corrosion resistance, the quality and thickness of the coating directly affects its corrosion resistance.

4. Processability

- Color coated aluminum sheet: easy to form and process, suitable for a variety of complex designs and shapes.

- Color coated steel sheet: although also has good workability, in some cases thicker steel may require more processing power.

5. Surface Finishes

- Color coated aluminum sheets: a variety of coatings (e.g. polyester, fluorocarbon) can be applied to achieve different colors and gloss levels, with a smooth and attractive surface.

- Color coated steel sheets: Various types of coatings are available, usually polyester, fluorocarbon, etc. The surface treatment can provide good weathering resistance, but may differ in gloss level and color selection compared to coated aluminum sheets.

6. Areas of application

Color coated aluminum sheet:

- Commonly used for building facades, ceilings, interior decoration, appliance housings, etc..

- It excels in applications where light weight and aesthetics are required.

- Color coated steel sheets:

- Widely used in the construction industry (e.g. roofs, walls), home appliances, automobiles, etc. Suitable for applications requiring high strength and durability.

- Ideal for applications requiring high strength and durability.

7. Cost

- Color coated aluminum sheets: Generally speaking, the cost of aluminum is higher, so the price of color coated aluminum sheets is usually higher than that of color coated steel coils.

- Color coated steel: Relatively inexpensive and suitable for large scale applications.

8. Environmental impact

- Color coated aluminum sheet: high recycling rate of aluminum, in line with the requirements of sustainable development.

- Color coated steel sheets: the recycling rate of steel is also high, but the production process may have a greater impact on the environment.

The choice of coated metal sheets between aluminum steel should be based on specific project needs, budget, design requirements and environmental conditions. Coated aluminum sheets are suitable for lightweight and aesthetically demanding applications, while steel sheets offer advantages in terms of strength and cost.