In the argument between aluminum vs. stainless steel electrical conduit, it’s really not even a fair fight – aluminum is the clear winner. At American Conduit, we have about a million pounds of product in stock at all times, thanks to the fact that we’re part of the leading aluminum extruder in the world, Hydro. Combine that with the fact we have more than 30 distributors and more than 20 warehouses across the U.S., and there’s no reason why you should look anywhere else for your aluminum conduit needs.
A Quick Comparison of Aluminum Vs. Steel
Electrical conduit is critical to the operations of companies across a wide range of industries. It protects delicate wiring from accidental impacts, corrosive environments, the outside elements, and much more.
Aluminum and steel are the two most popular materials used in electrical conduit. While many people believe steel is the better choice, we’d like to show you just some of the many reasons aluminum is actually better – by far.
- Aluminum is much more affordable than steel – it costs anywhere from 10-20 percent less per square foot.
- You’ll not only save on materials, but also labor costs. Aluminum is about 30 percent lighter than steel, so you won’t have to devote as many workers to an installation.
- If you think you’ll have to sacrifice quality for savings, think again. We treat our aluminum with special alloys, making it just as strong as steel. We also offer aluminum conduit in a wide range of diameters, from ½ inch to 6 inches.
- You don’t need any special tools to cut and shape aluminum conduit. You can use the tools you already have on hand.
- Aluminum is much safer than steel. It won’t emit sparks, because it’s non-combustible. Also, it won’t emit noxious fumes, because it’s non-toxic. You can use aluminum in the most volatile environments with total confidence.
- Our conduit meets the same stringent quality standards as steel. These include ANSI C80.5, UL-6A, NEC and many others.
- When you use aluminum conduit, you can basically “set it and forget it.” Unlike steel, aluminum won’t corrode or rust, thanks to its natural coating of aluminum oxide. You don’t need to add any special treatments, and it doesn’t require any maintenance. Aluminum will deliver reliable performance for decades.
- Aluminum is also one of the most eco-friendly materials in existence. Approximately 75 percent of the aluminum that has ever been produced is still being used to this day. You can recycle it over and over again, and it will still retain its strength and all of its other characteristics.
- Our PullEase aluminum EMT conduit provides a smooth, easy pathway for wiring, and is very fast and simple to install.
In addition to conduit, we also carry elbows and couplings to ensure a fast, efficient installation. These are also available in a wide range of sizes, so you will have a perfect match with the conduit you order.
Still Not Convinced? Contact American Conduit
The aluminum vs. stainless steel electrical conduit debate has been going on for years – and will probably continue for a long time. American Conduit has a team of experts who will be glad to tell you why aluminum is the superior material. Please feel free to call 1.800.334.6825 or contact us online.