- Weight: Aluminum is about one-third the weight of steel, leading to easier handling, assembly, and lower shipping costs.
- Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum forms a protective oxide layer; steel requires painting or galvanizing to prevent rust.
- Finish: Aluminum can be easily anodized for a durable, attractive finish that is integral to the metal. Steel painting can chip.
- No Welding (for T-slot): Modular systems allow for bolted connections, enabling easy modification and disassembly.
- Thermal & Electrical Conductivity: Useful for specialized applications (e.g., heat sinking, grounding).
- Drawbacks: Aluminum has a lower stiffness (Young’s Modulus) than steel, so for the same stiffness, a larger profile may be needed. It is also generally more expensive per unit volume than basic steel.