What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile scaffolding made of different materials?
The material of mobile scaffolding directly affects its safety, applicability, and economy. Currently, the mainstream materials are aluminum alloy and steel (mainly Q235 steel), each with its own emphasis on performance. The specific advantages and disadvantages are as follows:
1、 Aluminum alloy mobile scaffold
advantage:
The lightweight advantage is significant: the density of aluminum alloy is only about one-third of that of steel (about 2.7g/cm ³), and the weight of the same specification frame can be reduced by 40% -60%. For example, a standard frame with a height of 1.8m, aluminum alloy weighing about 30kg and steel weighing about 70kg, greatly reduces the labor cost of handling and installation, especially suitable for narrow spaces or scenarios without lifting equipment.
Strong corrosion resistance: The surface of aluminum alloy is prone to forming an oxide film (Al ₂ O3), which can resist the erosion of rainwater and humid environments, without the need for regular rust removal and painting. Its service life in chemical workshops and outdoor humid areas (such as basements and swimming pools) can reach 15-20 years, which is 2-3 times that of steel.
High assembly efficiency: adopting modular design (such as quick plug nodes and snap connections), no tools such as wrenches are needed for splicing, and a single person can complete the assembly. The construction speed is more than 30% faster than steel scaffolding, suitable for short-term leasing or frequent mobile operations (such as indoor decoration and exhibition construction).
Optimization of safety details: The surface of the profile has undergone anti slip treatment (such as sandblasting and rolling), resulting in high pedal friction; And aluminum alloy has poor conductivity (electrical resistivity about 5 times that of steel), which can reduce the risk of electric shock in live working environments.
Disadvantages:
Low bearing capacity: The yield strength of aluminum alloy (about 200MPa) is only 85% of Q235 steel (about 235MPa), and its elastic modulus is smaller, making it prone to deformation under long-term heavy loads. The allowable bearing capacity of a single pole is about 1.5-2 tons, which is not suitable for stacking heavy materials (such as precast concrete parts) or working with multiple people in a centralized manner.
Weaker wind resistance and stability: lightweight results in small overall inertia moment, which is easy to shake in strong wind environment. When the height exceeds 6m, wall fasteners or slant support shall be added, which limits its application in high-altitude operations (such as more than 10m).
High initial cost: The price of aluminum alloy profiles is about 3-4 times that of steel, and the procurement cost of a standard frame (10m long x 2m wide x 6m high) is 200% -300% higher than that of steel. It is more suitable for long-term use or high-frequency turnover scenarios (such as professional leasing companies).
Difficult to repair: If deformation occurs, aluminum alloy cannot be repaired by welding like steel, and only the components can be replaced as a whole, resulting in high maintenance costs.
2、 Steel mobile scaffolding
advantage:
High structural strength: Q235 steel has a tensile strength of 375-500MPa, and the allowable bearing capacity of a single pole can reach 3-5t, making it suitable for heavy-duty operations such as equipment installation and bridge maintenance. The frame height can be extended to more than 15m (with wall connecting components), and its stability is better than that of aluminum alloy frames at the same height.
High cost-effectiveness: Steel procurement costs are low, and personalized modifications can be made through welding and cutting (such as adding cantilever platforms and adjusting pole spacing), making it suitable for non-standard work scenarios (such as exterior construction of irregular buildings). A set of steel frame with the same specifications, with a comprehensive cost of long-term use (more than 10 years), is about 40% lower than that of aluminum alloy.
Strong impact resistance: Steel has good toughness and can withstand accidental collisions (such as scratches from construction machinery) without easily breaking, making it more durable in complex environments such as construction sites.
Wide universality of accessories: The fasteners, pedals, wall connecting components and other accessories of steel scaffolding have a high degree of standardization, are easy to purchase and replace, and can be combined with other steel support structures (such as full frame scaffolding) for strong flexibility.
Disadvantages:
Heavy weight and labor-intensive operation: Handling requires mechanical equipment (such as forklifts and cranes), and manual assembly requires 2-3 people to cooperate, making it difficult to move inside floors or in situations where elevator sizes are limited.
Easy to rust and frequent maintenance: Steel is prone to rust in humid environments and requires annual rust removal and painting (especially at nodes). Otherwise, the bearing capacity may decrease due to rust within 3-5 years, and the service life may be shortened to 5-8 years in strong corrosive environments such as coastal areas and chemical industries.
Conductivity risk: Steel is a good conductor, and in operations near high-voltage lines or live equipment, additional insulation layers are required, increasing the cost of safety measures.
Low assembly efficiency: Traditional fastener type connections require tightening bolts one by one (torque 40-65N · m), which takes a long time to build and may lead to safety hazards if the bolts become loose.
