Metal sculpture is a popular choice in modern sculpture. In addition to bronze, stainless steel and aluminum have long been loved and chosen. So what is the difference between stainless steel sculpture and an aluminum sculpture, and how to choose the most suitable one according to your own situation?
Advantages of Aluminum Sculpture:
Statues made of cast aluminum are as strong as bronze, but metal is more affordable. We often find that choosing cast aluminum over bronze can save up to 80% in cost when comparing statues of the same size. This can save you a lot of extra money on equally fine art for your home or commercial space – an investment that grows in value and sentiment over time.
Although cast recycled aluminum statues cost one-fifth the price of bronze statues, they are just as durable as bronze. It is an exceptionally strong material and can also be cast thick for extra integrity. This durability along with the fact that it is rust-resistant will ensure that your statue will last a long time. You’ll be able to admire your artwork and make it a family heirloom for generations to come.
Your aluminum statue will be much lighter than other materials like bronze, cement and concrete, wood, and resin. Due to the lighter weight, you will pay less for shipping if you need to send the statue anywhere. Less weight also means it’s safer to carry during a move, both for the movers and your artwork, making it easier to protect your investment
Advantages of Stainless Steel Sculpture:
The stainless steel sculpture is a sculptured product designed and manufactured with stainless steel material according to the sculpture carving production process. Due to the material characteristics of stainless steel, various styles of sculptures can be produced. And due to the characteristics of stainless steel materials, it can be said that the sculptures made are better than sculptures made of other materials in terms of texture and all aspects, especially better than plastic sculptures, and even better than ceramic sculptures. It is not easy to damage and is less likely to corrode than sculptures made of wooden materials. Nowadays, stainless steel sculptures are also painted or vacuum-plated titanium according to needs, which makes the surface of stainless steel sculptures more colorful and gives people a strong visual impact.
Compared with other stainless steel sculptures, it is more expensive than sculptures made of plastic, wood, ceramics, and other materials. Moreover, for stainless steel materials, it is now easier to process them into different shapes, and then vacuum-plate titanium on the surface, which can make stainless steel sculptures a more exquisite appearance. It can be said that the current stainless steel sculptures are all made of stainless steel. With its high-grade quality, sculpture affects people’s senses in an all-round way. For stainless steel sculptures, they are generally used as handicrafts, because their appearance is very exquisite and looks relatively high-end. Therefore, these sculptures are mostly placed in large squares, parks, and enterprises.
The Difference Between Them:
In general, the advantages of aluminum sculpture are lightweight, cheaper than copper, and lower melting point. It’s not as easy to work with as bronze, and it’s a bit tricky to solder, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not difficult at all. The disadvantage of aluminum is that its appearance is not as rich as that of bronze, and it cannot form a colorful luster with the help of external forces. If it is exposed to the outdoors for a long time, it will also be oxidized.
The advantage of stainless steel sculpture is that it is absolutely durable (high nickel content), no matter what the environment is, it will not undergo any corrosion and changes. At the same time, stainless steel is also very strong, so it is a bit difficult to make, but it welds well, and it has a good gloss. But relatively speaking, the price of stainless steel sculptures will be higher than that of aluminum sculptures.
Stainless steel sculptures and aluminum sculptures have their own advantages and disadvantages. Generally speaking, aluminum sculptures are cast and can have more details, but the color is relatively single. Stainless steel sculptures are mostly forged, with rich surface treatment methods and many possibilities. But in the case of forging, some details cannot be guaranteed. Although stainless steel sculptures can also be cast, due to the high cost, relatively few are used. If you want to make a choice between the two, you need to conduct a comprehensive analysis based on budget and design.