Advantages of aluminum as a material for the production of stepladders

Among the many materials, manufacturers of stairs and stepladders most often choose aluminum. Why is it used for the mass production of means of access to heights? What other materials are used to make stepladders?

Wooden stepladders

Wooden stepladders have a special feature - they do not conduct electricity, so their use by electricians is very reasonable. But if the work does not involve electricity, a significant disadvantage is that a wooden stepladder is heavier than an aluminum one, and also cannot be stored in a damp place.

Steel stepladders

Due to their weight, steel ladders are stable and do not bend under the weight of a person. They are cheaper than aluminum ones. But at the same time, they have some disadvantages - their surface must be protected with paint or galvanic coating to prevent rust from appearing. When carrying a steel stepladder, you will realize that it is heavier than an aluminum stepladder with the same number of steps.

Fiberglass stepladders

Bright multi-colored stepladders made of a special material – fiberglass – immediately catch the eye. These are not cheap stepladders because the production of the material is quite labor-intensive. Among materials for stairs, fiberglass is the youngest material. It has dielectric properties, does not crack under the influence of temperature differences, and can have a variety of colors. However, the disadvantages are a lot of weight compared to aluminum stepladders and a considerable price.

Aluminum stepladders

The strength of the aluminum alloys from which stepladders are made is quite high. A popular alloy for the production of stepladders - 6063 or its analogue AD31, has optimal characteristics for making different types of stairs from it:

• High machinability,
• Hardness at 73 HB,
• Sufficient strength is about 200 MPa,
• Corrosion resistance.

Aluminum stepladders are lighter than others, their surface is not destroyed by corrosion due to the protective natural layer of aluminum oxide; prices for aluminum stepladders are quite reasonable due to the wide distribution of this element in nature. In addition, if sparks hit, an aluminum stepladder will not be damaged like a wooden one. Unlike a steel ladder, an aluminum ladder is non-magnetic, which can be important when working in laboratories with electromagnetic measurements.

Above, we outlined what has long been experimentally confirmed by stepladder manufacturers - the most common material for the production of stepladders is aluminum.

On our website you will find aluminum single-sided and double-sided stepladders with a number of steps from 2 to 8.

Give us a call so we can help you determine the optimal stepladder height for your job.

Our blog has an interesting article “10 professions where stepladders are used”, which we advise you to read.