A lot of people ask us, “Can you bend aluminum conduit easier than you can bend steel?” The answer is a resounding, “Yes.” Aluminum conduit, especially the type you’ll find from American Conduit, is incredibly easy to not only bend, but also cut. You can manipulate our conduit using the tools you already have on hand – the same can’t be said for steel conduit. But this is just one of the many reasons why aluminum conduit is much, much better than steel. Here are some others.
Aluminum is Versatile and Convenient
PullEase aluminum EMT (electrical metallic tubing) has thin walls through which cables and wiring run. The walls provide protection from several different hazards that could damage delicate wires. These include the elements, chemicals, moisture and even pests. Yes, you’d be surprised at how many different types of insects just love to chew on electrical wires. When they do, that can lead to an extremely damaging short circuit.
Although EMT is primarily designed to be used indoors, it can be used outdoors as well – as long as the fasteners, supports and fittings you use are resistant to corrosion. PullEase EMT can be found in just about any sort of application you can imagine. These include not only commercial applications, but industrial applications as well.
You already know PullEase is incredibly easy to bend and cut. It also installs in a fraction of the time it takes for a steel conduit installation – and it’s a lot less expensive as well. When the time comes to remove cables or wires, you can easily do so without having to worry about any sort of damage.
Other Reasons Aluminum is Better
We could go on and on about what makes aluminum superior to steel, but we won’t. Here are just a few brief notes on why this is the case.
- Weight – A 10-foot section of steel conduit weighs close to 100 pounds. A 10-foot section of aluminum conduit is closer to 34 pounds. As you might expect, then, you’ll pay a lot less in materials and shipping. You’ll even save on labor, since you won’t have to devote as many workers to an installation.
- Long-lasting – There’s a good chance you’ve had to replace steel conduit because it corroded or rusted out. That won’t be a problem with aluminum, because it doesn’t degrade. It has a natural coating of aluminum oxide that provides an incredible layer of protection.
- Safety considerations – Steel will emit sparks, and can also emit toxic fumes. Aluminum isn’t combustible, so you can use it in any sort of volatile environment without having to worry about a potential explosion. Also, aluminum is an excellent thermal conductor. That means you can always safely touch it, even on the hottest summer afternoons or the most bitterly cold winter mornings.
- Environmentally friendly – Aluminum might just be the most earth-friendly material on the planet. It will never lose any of its characteristics, no matter how many times it’s recycled.
Learn More by Contacting American Conduit
Whether you want to know if you can bend aluminum conduit or you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with American Conduit. You can use our convenient online form, or you can give us a call at 1-800-334-6825. We look forward to hearing from you.