Choosing Between Aluminium and Galvanised Tube Fittings

Are you looking to create something using fittings and tube and are unsure of whether you need to use Galvanised Steel or Aluminium Fittings. Or are you simply wondering about the differences between the two?

Read on to find out more about the differences between aluminium and galvanised steel.

Corrosion Resistant Tube Clamps

First of all,aluminium is a metal and naturally corrosion resistant . For steel to be resistant, it is dipped in zinc which gives it its galvanised coating. It is strong, tough and durable, although because it is approximately two and a half times denser, it is not as flexible when compared with its aluminium counterpart.

Weight Difference Between Steel And Aluminium

When constructing your project, the main difference can be found in the weight of the fittings. There is a reason why our Kee Lite fittings are so- called. They are considerably lighter than their corresponding version in galvanised steel.

Kee Lite aluminium fittings also produce a smooth shiny appearance. Although these fittings and aluminium tubing are lighter in weight, that doesn’t mean that they are lacking in strength. They are still durable, although steel fittings are heavier and display a rough and porous surface compared to aluminium.

Kee Klamp Galvanised Steel Fittings

We refer to our galvanised steel fittings as Kee Klamp, and they are widely used because they are tough and resilient, and offer a great alternative to welding joints, which can weaken over time, especially when exposed to weathering. As mentioned above, both Kee Klamp and Kee Lite are corrosion resistant and offer strong resistance to harsh weather.

The Differences Between Steel And Aluminium

Galvanised

• Galvanised steel has an outer coating which is created when the steel is dipped in zinc
• Grouped with iron, associated with strength
• Anti-corrosive
• Rough and porous surface

Aluminium

• Light in weight
• Weather resistant
• Durable against corrosion
• Shinier, Smoother

Choosing The Right Fitting

So, when considering which type of fitting you wish to use, the main difference in your completed assembly will be in its look and feel, with Kee Lite being lighter and more polished. If you were hoping to build a structure which would need to have a significant load bearing capacity, then possibly Kee Klamp would be more suitable.

Hopefully you now have a clearer idea of the differences (or similarities) between Aluminium and Galvanised Steel fittings. If you have a project in mind and wish to find out more about which fitting might be more suitable, feel free to contact us at Simplified Building, where we will be glad to help.