You want the best value for your money, of course, so you might be looking at aluminum EMT vs steel EMT in regard to conduit. As you’ll soon learn, there really is no comparison. At American Conduit, we will be more than happy to show you exactly why aluminum is the better choice for all your conduit needs. We have a virtually unlimited supply, thanks to the fact that we’re a brand of the largest extruder of aluminum in the world, Hydro. This also means we can deliver your conduit quickly, and at an extremely affordable price.
Aluminum – The Hands Down Winner
For years, many people have simply assumed that steel is the only material they should consider when it comes to conduit. But aluminum can do everything that steel can do, and at a much lower price. You can also use it in more challenging environments as well. Here’s a quick look at why aluminum will do a better job of meeting your conduit needs.
- Safety – No matter what type of operation you run, safety is and always will be Priority No. 1. Aluminum conduit is much safer to use, because it doesn’t emit sparks like steel. If you used steel conduit in any sort of volatile environment, such as near flammable gases or open flames, that could result in a disaster. Aluminum is also non-toxic. Even when it’s exposed to high temperatures, it won’t release any noxious fumes.
- Price – This is also a major consideration for any company, and another area in which aluminum is clearly the better choice. Aluminum is a lot lighter than steel, so it won’t cost nearly as much to purchase. If you need to ship your conduit, it will be much less expensive to do so.
- Convenience – You won’t just be saving money from a materials perspective, but from a labor costs perspective as well. Because aluminum weighs only about 30 percent as much as steel, you won’t need to devote as many workers to moving and installation. A job that would normally take as many as three people could take only one.
- Strength – Just because aluminum weighs less than steel, that in no way means you’ll be making sacrifices when it comes to strength. We treat our aluminum with 6000 Series alloys. These alloys do an incredible job of making American Conduit products just as strong as steel.
- Durability – You’ve seen what rust can do to steel over time – that won’t happen with aluminum. Steel eventually corrodes, unless it’s coated with zinc. Aluminum, on the other hand, has its own built-in coating. It won’t break down as the years go by, and as a result, will continue to protect your valuable wiring. You can also use aluminum in environments, such as food processing plants, that would chew up steel conduit. Chemicals and moisture destroy steel, but they’re no match for aluminum.
- Sustainability – More and more companies are looking at their impact on the environment. Using aluminum can drastically reduce yours. Aluminum can be recycled multiple times without losing its strength or any other of the characteristics that make it an incredible material.
Contact American Conduit
If you’d like more information on aluminum EMT vs steel EMT, get in touch with an American Conduit expert. Contact us online or call 1 (800) 334-6825.