The question may better be written as, "Which steel is harder than which aluminum?" There are many grades of both, and some alloys of aluminum are actually harder than some grades of steel. For instance, 7075-T6 aluminum at 150 Brinell hardness is harder than low-carbon steel at 120 Brinell. Generally speaking, however, steel is harder than aluminum.
For homework: No, aluminum is not cheaper than steel. Aluminum is about 7 times more expensive than steel.
A full answer: Basically: No. Aluminum is more expensive. And during 2011 is expected to go higher, because of less demand. Although the price of steel is constantly on the raise. BUT, in some cases making things from steel can turn out to be more expensive. Like boats. But again, in the usual case Aluminum is more expensive.
How much more expensive depends: There are different kinds of steel.
Also, it depends on how much material you'll need. Sometimes a small amount of aluminum will suffice for a much larger amount (in weight) of steel.
The most significant cost difference, is the cost of work: tools, knowledge and the price for fixing mistakes. Working with aluminum is much more expensive than steel.
In 2002 (before the price rise of steel) it was 4.2 times more expensive to make a car from aluminum, than from steel.
source: http://xnet3.uss.com/auto/steelvsal/cost.htm
But then a comparison by a boat maker shows that its EASIER to work with aluminum, if you use its features to your advantage: (No need to paint submerged parts, build without bending, use standard profiles etc.) and easier to sell.
source: http://www.kastenmarine.com/alumVSsteel.htm
And then it depends if you need to use new material or can use scrap.
Today (March 2011) iron ore (the main part for making steel) is 4 and a half cents per pound, while aluminum is a dollar and 14 cents! 0.045 vs 1.14. That's Aluminum over 25 times more expensive than iron. (But then again, steel is about 3.5 times more expensive than iron, so aluminum is about 7.2 times more expensive now.
sources: http://www.steelonthenet.com/commodity_prices.html
and: http://www.metalprices.com/FreeSite/metals/fe/fe.asp
Please understand that a shortage (like the one during the Chinese Olympics a few years ago) can make the price of steel rocket up, and change everything. So you never know what will be. But currently, Aluminum is more expensive.
Answer for homework: Yes, an approximate cost-per-unit volume for Aluminum alloys is 2-3 while high-strength low-alloy steels are 1.4.
Full answer:
Basically: Aluminum is more expensive. And during 2011 is expected to go even higher, because of less demand. Although the price of steel is constantly on the rise. BUT, in some cases making things from steel can turn out to be more expensive. Like boats. But again, in the usual case Aluminum is more expensive.
How much more expensive depends: There are different kinds of steel.
Also, it depends on how much material you'll need. Sometimes a small amount of aluminum will suffice for a much larger amount (in weight) of steel you would need for the same task. In that case making your project from aluminum will cost less than from steel. But the raw cost of steel is still cheaper than that of aluminum. (The reason is that aluminum, although more "abundant" - meaning found more on the surface of earth, is harder and therefore more expensive to retrieve).
The most significant cost difference, is the cost of work: tools, knowledge and the price for fixing mistakes. Working with aluminum is much more expensive than steel.
In 2002 (before the price rise of steel) it was 4.2 times more expensive to make a car from aluminum, than from steel.
But then a comparison by a boat maker shows that its EASIER to work with aluminum, if you use its features to your advantage: (No need to paint submerged parts, build without bending, use standard profiles etc.) and easier to sell.
And then it depends if you need to use new material or can use scrap.
Today (March 2011) iron ore (the main part for making steel) is 4 and a half cents per pound, while aluminum is a dollar and 14 cents! 0.045 vs 1.14. That's Aluminum over 25 times more expensive than iron. (But then again, steel is about 3.5 times more expensive than iron, so aluminum is about 7.2 times more expensive now.
Please understand that a shortage (like the one during the Chinese Olympics a few years ago) can make the price of steel rocket up, and change everything. So you never know what will be. But currently, Aluminum is more expensive.
By the way, Mary Antoinette had a set of cutlery (knife, fork and spoons) from aluminum, that was at that time just discovered, and more expensive than silver.
The technological process to obtain aluminum is more difficult and expensive (more electrical energy is necessary).
no
steel
Steel is a harder and more durable metal than aluminum. Therefore, steel doors are often more durable and more difficult to damage than aluminum doors.
Why is quartz harder steel
Bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper an tin and it replaced copper as the primary metal for tools because the alloy is harder than either of its constituents. Aluminum is softer than copper.
I would suggest that Aluminum is preferable. It is lighter than steel, which can result in a higher performance vehicle (faster acceleration, better braking, improved fuel economy). Furthermore, unlike steel, aluminum will not rust. Aluminum is also easier to recycle. Aluminum cars have a stiffer feel- giving them a sportier feel, and absorb impact about 1.5 times as well as steel, making them safer. The downside, of course, is the high cost of aluminum compared to steel.
Chemically, aluminium is an element, while steel is an alloy consisting mostly of iron. Although most aluminium items you see and use are also Alloys, strictly speaking. Steel is stronger but heavier. They have quite different material qualities.
Aluminum is pretty hard; it is not as hard as steel, but it is harder than copper.
Steel is a harder and more durable metal than aluminum. Therefore, steel doors are often more durable and more difficult to damage than aluminum doors.
The reason they don't make aluminum hammers is because most nails are made of steel and steel nails will destroy the aluminum because steel is a lot harder than aluminum.
Why is quartz harder steel
no
Diamond is harder than steel: you can scratch steel with a diamond, but steel will not scratch a diamond.
You better be able to! Or you wouldn't be able to open a harder steel can.
Yes.
No.
It depends on the alloy and temper of each material. Beryllium copper alloys are harder than the softest aluminum alloys, and high-strength aluminum alloys are harder than pure copper (which is quite soft). And almost every metal is harder than lead, except a few such as gold.
Yes, most steel is harder than pure platinum. Steel is an alloy of several different elements. If you were to add alloying elements to Platinum, it would become harder as well.
Bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper an tin and it replaced copper as the primary metal for tools because the alloy is harder than either of its constituents. Aluminum is softer than copper.