Different types of asset tags have their most popular uses, just like different metal materials each have environments they are best suited for. If you’re trying to pick a material and you’re wondering which option is stronger and tougher, you’re asking the wrong question. 

The right question is: Which environment am I using the material for? We’ll help you understand the pros and cons of each type of metal, then assist you in making the right choice for your application.

💡 Key Takeaway
There are many different elements that affect a tag in its intended use-case. For instance, the saltwater common in marine industries and the heat and sun damage in external and energy-based industries all can affect a tag’s longevity.

What Is Aluminum Designed For?

Aluminum is an ultra-lightweight metal that conducts electricity extremely well. 

Until recently, many people believed aluminum was not a good metal for high-corrosion environments, and that other metals should be designated for marine applications. But now, we understand that salt attacks stainless steel on the parts of the metal that make it a tag. Photo anodized aluminum, however, does not have this same problem when introduced to salt and water. 

Corrosion is most significant under a tag’s fastener head, and bites down on the tight joints of the tag, weakening it. Photo anodized aluminum acts as a sealed vault, growing its own oxide into a hard layer that seals it off from the outside world. Without anything to break off, photo anodized aluminum tags are actually able to outperform stainless steel in these harsh environments.

What Is Stainless Steel Designed For?

Stainless steel is an extremely durable metal with a unique, self-healing element that helps it perform optimally in a variety of environments. When stainless steel is exposed to air, it creates a protective film that, when scratched, heals itself. 

Where aluminum is hyper malleable, stainless steel maintains its shape over time, not losing its shape in a battle with the sun. Even if the stainless steel tag is pulled off and reinstalled multiple times, it won’t lose its finish due to impacts or gouging. 

Due to all of these elements, stainless steel has often been the metal of choice for extreme environments. Unlike with aluminum, the alloy grade makes a difference in stainless steel, and some alloys may be better for certain environments than others. Stainless steel 304 is popular due to its strong resistance to most oxidizing acids and stainless steel 316 is also commonly used in marine engineering due to its ability to resist pitting.

💡
Note:
Pitting is the process in which small, but deep holes are created wherever the protective film on stainless steel fails.
Crevice corrosion is where the joints under a fastener head or in other tight spots are weakened due to oxygen starvation.

 

Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel at a Glance

Both aluminum and stainless steel have their benefits and drawbacks, and here’s a handy chart to help you understand their distinctions.

Aluminum Stainless Steel
✅ ⅓ the density of stainless steel ❌ Significantly heavier metal
❌ Susceptible to surface abrasions on the job site ✅ Superior hardness and resistance to scratches
✅ Conducts both heat and electricity at high temperatures ❌ Low conductivity
❌ Oxide expands at different rates, causing cracks and warping ✅ Maintains positioning even at high, sustained heat

Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Tags in Your Industry

✓Stainless steel helps to create identification that survives the sun, chemicals, and other outdoor elements
✓Photo anodized aluminum can withstand harsh road chemicals that destroy typical product labels
✓Photo anodized aluminum can have surprising benefits in the aerospace industry due to its light-weight nature, and how it will not corrode due to a lack of oxygen
✓Both photo anodized aluminum and stainless steel are good options for harsh plant environments where the tags must remain readable
✓Stainless steel helps to avoid tag damage caused by crushing or abrasions on the work site
✓Photo anodized aluminum keeps critical information legible for power generation systems
✓Specific alloys of stainless steel are acceptable, and photo anodized aluminum is also excellent at avoiding corrosion caused by salt and brine
✓When faced with excess heat and moisture associated with underground operations, stainless steel is a solid choice
✓Stainless steel is superior at handling the extreme heat and pressure that’s associated with refineries and drilling sites

The Bottom Line: Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Tags

At the end of the day, both aluminum and stainless steel have their benefits and proper applications. The most important question to ask is what application are you intending to use it for? For corrosive environments, photo anodized aluminum can often outperform due to the sealed anodic layer that prevents oxidation. For strenuous, temperature-heavy environments, stainless steel outperforms on both abrasion and high-heat scales.

The Metal Marker Difference

If you’ve got an application in mind, but still aren’t sure which metal tag to use, please contact us today, and we would be happy to assist you. Our company has over 100 years of experience, meaning we can offer you knowledge-driven products that solve your application challenges.

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