Why Aluminium Is The Best Choice For Your Ramps.

Aluminium and steel are two of the most widely used metals across the manufacturing industry, both having their own pros and cons, however, when looking for a ramp to transport heavy equipment in and out of your van, a steel ramp might seem like the best choice.

There are many differences between the two, and if we first look at the sheer strength of the metal, steel is the obvious winner. Steel has a much higher concentration of carbon which makes the metal very tough and resilient (which is exactly what we want to hold heavy machinery), however, its malleability doesn’t compare to aluminium.
Bending and moulding steel to the same extent as aluminium will very likely result in cracks and breaks, possibly weakening the structure. If a steel ramp is already weakened through the manufacturing process, adding more weight on while its in use may weaken it even further. In addition, steel is 2.5 times denser than aluminium, weakening the structure and adding on to its susceptibility to cracks and breaks. To overcome the issue of density, using mild steel instead of regular steel may be a solution, though, on the other hand, mild steel is much weaker in general strength than aluminium.

Aluminium also wins over steel when it comes to weight, as it is a lot lighter. The weight of the ramp matters greatly when it comes to deciding on which ramp to buy, as it needs to be light enough to be handled by a team of 1 to 2 persons. To add on to this, aluminium also doesn’t require any additional treatment or coating - it doesn’t rust and is protected by its natural oxide coating. It can, however, be enhanced by additional powder coating, a brushed or a polished finish and other techniques. Steel, on the other hand, requires a protective coating or a finishing treatment to protect it from rust or corrosion, which can be scratched or worn off.

Although aluminium is more expensive than steel, it is lightweight and strong, resistant to cracks and breaks, and is naturally protected against rust. All of these combined create a very cost-efficient and quality product, despite the raw material costing more.