- Lightweight
- Maintenance free
- High strength to weight ratio
- Environment friendly material
- Corrosion resistant
- Rapid installation
- Lower maintenance cost - corrosion is reduced to insignificant levels and no painting is required
- Lower weight - aluminum's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio means weight savings of 50% to 70% over equivalent steel structures
- Lower cost - long-term cost reduction through maintenance cost savings; customers also achieve initial cost savings at installation owing to lower lift costs, easier fabrication and faster installation
- Longer life span - the durability of the alloy means that it usually outlasts the structure it is placed on and can be reused on new platforms
- Recycling - aluminum has high residual value and is genuinely and economically recyclable
The Aluminum Association describes the advantages of using aluminum structures versus steel ones in the offshore industry more specifically for offshore helidecks. Some of the point are described below:
- In water depths of 400 feet, a one-ton weight savings in platform superstructure means a weight savings of 6 tons in the supporting structure.
- Aluminum is often used in the construction of helicopter decks (helidecks) for re-supply of oil rigs.
- Marine-grade aluminum alloys offer maintenance free service with remarkable corrosion resistance.
- Using aluminum components reduces handling and offshore lifting costs, and speeds assembly.
- Aluminum does not burn and presents no thermite sparking risks.
- Even in salt water applications, little or no protective coatings are required for aluminum seawalls.