| Comparison Aspect |
Coated Aluminum Characteristics |
Other Materials Shortcomings |
| Density and Weight |
Density about 2.7 g/cm³, significant weight - saving for vehicle lightweighting |
Steel density around 7.85 g/cm³, cast iron 7.2 - 7.8 g/cm³, heavy; magnesium alloy has poor corrosion resistance |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Inherent edge due to natural dense oxide film, coating life over 30 years outdoors, suitable for harsh environments |
Carbon steel easily rusts, stainless steel can't match in some aggressive environments, mild steel degrades fast |
| Formability and Processing |
Excellent cold - working properties, good ductility at low temperatures, for complex component fabrication |
High - strength steel hard to form; plastics lack strength, some engineering plastics brittle at low temperatures |
| Recycling and Environment |
Recycling rate up to 95%, low recycling energy consumption, eco - friendly |
Fiberglass hard to recycle, composite materials generate much waste; steel recycling rate 80 - 90% with higher energy consumption |
| Cost - Benefit and Performance |
Higher initial cost but long - term cost - effective with fuel and maintenance savings |
Some cheaper materials need frequent repairs, increasing ownership cost |