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Home > News & Blog > Blog > Aluminum plate or steel plate for lithium battery casing, which one is better?
Under the dual demands of lightweight and safety of power batteries, aluminum plates have become the mainstream choice for new energy vehicles with their low density and high heat dissipation characteristics, while steel plates stick to the industrial field with their impact resistance and low cost. Faced with the multi-dimensional game of energy density, cost, and corrosion resistance, how should enterprises choose?
Aluminum plate✅Aluminum alloy grades: The mainstream uses 3003 (Al-Mn series), 3004 (Al-Mn-Mg series) and 6061 (Al-Mg-Si series) aluminum alloys, among which:
◆ 3003 aluminum plate: manganese content 1.0%~1.5%, excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, suitable for square battery shell stamping process.
◆ 3004 aluminum plate: magnesium element (0.8%~1.3%) is added, the strength is increased by 20% compared with 3003, taking into account lightweight and anti-deformation ability, and is mostly used in high energy density batteries.
◆ 6061 aluminum plate: Contains magnesium (0.8%~1.2%) and silicon (0.4%~0.8%), with a strength close to 60% of steel plate, but a density of only 1/3 of steel, and is used for high-end power battery components.
✅Processing characteristics: Aluminum plate is formed by cold rolling or stamping process, and the surface can be anodized (such as 3003 aluminum plate) to improve weather resistance.
Steel plate✅Material: Mainly low carbon steel plate (SPCC), some use nickel-plated steel plate (such as SUS430) to improve corrosion resistance.
✅Structure: The cylindrical battery shell needs to be formed by steel plate stamping + welding process, and the internal explosion-proof valve design is integrated.
| Item | Aluminum plate (3003/3004/6061) | Steel plate (SPCC/SUS430) |
| Weight | Lightweight (3003 aluminum plate density 2.73g/cm³, steel plate 7.85g/cm³), suitable for electric vehicles | High weight limits energy density improvement |
| Corrosion resistance | 3003 aluminum plate salt spray test >500h, better than nickel-plated steel (200h) | Depends on the coating, prone to rust in a long-term humid environment |
| Thermal conductivity | The thermal conductivity of 6061 aluminum plate is 167W/(m·K), which is three times that of steel, and has high heat dissipation efficiency. | Thermal conductivity is about 50W/(m·K), heat dissipation depends on structural design |
| Tensile strength | 6061 aluminum plate ≥290MPa, 3004 aluminum plate ≥180MPa | ≥270MPa |
Aluminum plate◆ 3003 aluminum plate: consumer electronics (mobile phone, laptop battery housing), cost-sensitive energy storage equipment.
◆ 3004 aluminum plate: square battery housing for new energy vehicles (such as CATL CTP technology), balancing strength and lightness.
◆ 6061 aluminum plate: high-end power battery components (such as battery trays, heat sinks), scenarios that require high strength and heat dissipation coordination.
Steel plate◆ SPCC steel plate: low-end cylindrical battery housing (such as 18650 batteries for power tools).
◆ Nickel-plated steel plate (SUS430): high safety requirements (battery housing for medical equipment).
In today’s industry, 3004/6061 aluminum plates account for more than 70% of power battery components, and 3003 aluminum plates are gradually turning to energy storage housings; the market share of steel plates has shrunk to less than 15%. Enterprises should consider the cost and application environment comprehensively when making choices. If they pursue lightweight and environmental protection, they should try to choose aluminum alloy materials; if they are cost-sensitive and do not need lightweight, but need extreme pressure resistance, they should choose steel plate materials. Contact us for professional technical guidance.
Original Source:Automobile Aluminum Sheet Plate
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