Both aluminum and steel are ideal manufacturing materials; aluminum boasts extreme resistance to corrosion, while steel is notable for its superior strength. They both have weaknesses, however. For instance, carbon steel does not have enough chromium to create an oxide layer that would protect it from rust. Meanwhile, pure aluminum is much weaker than steel.
What Is Aluminized Steel and Why Manufacturers Choose It
Manufacturers across industries rely on aluminized steel for its rare combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and heat tolerance. Created by coating carbon steel with an aluminum-silicon alloy, this material delivers the durability of steel and the surface protection of aluminum. Whether you’re forming exhaust components, HVAC housings, or cooking equipment, aluminized steel offers a dependable and cost-effective alternative to stainless steel. At Hascall Steel Co., we supply aluminized steel sheets and coils to manufacturers in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, and throughout Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, helping them meet demanding performance and production standards.
What Is Aluminized Steel?
Aluminized steel is carbon steel coated with an aluminum-silicon alloy through a controlled hot-dip process. This process forms a tight metallurgical bond between the base metal and its coating, combining the best properties of both materials: steel’s strength and rigidity with aluminum’s corrosion and heat resistance.
The result is a high-performance material with excellent formability, surface protection, and temperature tolerance. At Hascall Steel, we supply aluminized steel sheets and coils processed to meet precise manufacturing requirements.
Key Properties of Aluminized Steel
High Temperature Resistance
The aluminum-silicon coating allows aluminized steel to withstand temperatures up to 900°F, far exceeding galvanized steel’s limit of 392°F. This makes it ideal for high-heat applications such as ovens, exhaust systems, and furnaces.
Low Thermal Expansion
Aluminized steel expands less under heat than stainless steel, helping components maintain shape and structural integrity during repeated temperature cycles.
Corrosion Resistance
During the hot-dip process, a thin aluminum oxide layer forms that protects the carbon steel beneath it from rust and oxidation. This makes aluminized steel a preferred material for long-term performance in corrosive environments.
Excellent Formability
The coating remains ductile during fabrication, allowing bending, rolling, or corrugating without cracking or flaking. This property makes aluminized steel easy to form into a variety of parts and assemblies.
Grades and Specifications
Hascall Steel provides aluminized steel in grades including CQ, DQ, AKDQ, HSLA, CS, DS, DDS, and EDDS, and to ASTM specifications A463 and A929/A929M. Each order can be tailored to meet your required tensile strength, yield, elongation, and Rockwell hardness.
Types of Aluminized Steel
Type 1 aluminized steel contains 5–11% silicon in the coating and is designed for applications requiring high heat resistance. It is commonly used in furnaces, ovens, heaters, and cookware.
Type 2 aluminized steel uses a pure aluminum coating, providing excellent corrosion resistance. It is often used for jacketing, ducting, and cladding in industrial and construction settings.
Common Applications
Because aluminized steel combines strength, heat resistance, and corrosion protection, it is used across many industries:
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Automotive: exhaust systems, mufflers, and heat shields
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Appliances: ovens, ranges, and burners
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Industrial: HVAC ducts, incinerators, and heat exchangers
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Construction: roofing, siding, and insulated cladding
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Food equipment: bakeware, trays, and other cooking surfaces
Hascall Steel: a Trusted Aluminized Steel Supplier
Aluminized steel is a proven material that offers durability, performance, and value. Partner with Hascall Steel Co., a Midwest aluminized steel supplier serving Grand Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, and surrounding areas. Our experienced team ensures that every coil and sheet meets the highest standards for surface quality and mechanical precision.
Whether you want steel that is slit, sheared, cut-to-length, or blanked, the trusted experts at Hascall Steel are just a phone call away. Call us at (888) 579-5902, or Request a Quote for more information about our services.