Horses for different courses. Aluminium is great for planes, but they don't build tanks out of it. More than likely because it would have to be stupidly thick to afford the level of protection a much thinner/denser piece of steel alloy can achieve in comparison.


That and the fact that aluminium burns really well when things get warm enough. This argument could keep going for eons.

Mmmm talk of rust and aluminium in the same sentence is exciting to those of us who had a mis-spent youth

(or dare I say well spent youth with thermite fun, better than never going outside...)

^^^
Aluminium can be heat treated to strengthen the weld point.

crustysailor said..
you guys overthink it way too much.

Dragster and BMX : Steel Frames, steel wheels, 40+ years, in the garage
Road bike; Ally frame + rims, 10+ years maybe , in the tip/recyling.

racing BMX bikes all carbon now, carbon roadie frames get scrapped because of lack of knowledge on how to repair or because insurer wants to see pic of cut up frame for payout

I have had an aluminium yacht and I have had a steel yacht.
I will never own a steel yacht again but would readily own an aluminium yacht again.