Which is cheaper, aluminum profiles or steel tubes?

The price comparison between aluminum profiles and lean tubes depends on specific measurement criteria (such as weight or length) and product specifications, with no absolute price difference between the two. However, lean tubes generally offer lower overall costs in the same application scenarios.

Overall, lean tubes generally offer greater cost advantages in most cases, primarily due to the following reasons:

1. Lower cost per unit length: For instance, the diameter of Jier's lean tubes (especially the third-generation aluminum alloy products) is relatively small (e.g., 28mm or 43mm), and their weight is significantly lighter than that of aluminum profiles of the same length (e.g., 4040 or 3030 models). For example, a 28mm lean tube weighs only about one-third that of a 4040 aluminum profile, making the price advantage of lean tubes very pronounced when priced per meter.
2. Material and Process Cost Differences: Although the raw material for aluminum profiles is aluminum ingots, precision tubes utilize steel-plastic composite or aluminum alloy tubes, with relatively complex production processes (such as extrusion, plastic coating, and anodization), which may result in higher costs per ton for precision tubes. However, due to their lightweight structure, easy installation, and elimination of welding requirements, precision tubes significantly reduce assembly, transportation, and labor costs compared to aluminum profiles, resulting in lower overall costs.
3. Market Pricing Reference: Taking the third-generation aluminum alloy lean tube as an example, its price ranges from approximately 11.5 to 25 yuan per meter (depending on the wall thickness). In contrast, aluminum extrusion workbenches, due to their more complex structure and higher load-bearing capacity, generally command a higher overall price than lean tube workbenches.
Therefore, if the application scenario does not require high load-bearing capacity (such as electronic assembly or tool storage), precision tubes are a more cost-effective choice; if heavy-duty equipment needs to be supported or used in harsh environments, aluminum profiles, though more expensive per unit, are worth the investment due to their strength and durability.