I can't speak to RF but I did have a Hope NW chain ring in AL that lasted just over a year.

The ring didn't fall apart or implode to indicate it was worn but my drive train did start to skip a bit/noisy pedaling which took me a bit to work out until I swapped out the ring and bam - problem gone.

I didn't start dropping chains just noisy/a bit sloppier.

That would be riding 3-4 times a week for a year on 1x.

I'm sure steel would last longer so it would come down to the mix of cost, weight, colour choices (maybe, example I luv me some purple ano so I'm always on team AL), etc that makes sense to you and then busting a move.

 

Aluminum 1x SRAM ring lasted 2 chains/800 miles. With the second new chain I could feel obvious grinding in the pedals. I know others who have run into this. I replaced it with a Sram steel ring for less than 1/4 the price and 60gm weight penalty. It's been buttery smooth and quiet since.

 

Steel chainrings are a nobrainer.

 

XT nw rings have steel teeth and composite body - light and long lasting. Won’t run anything else now

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Going with steel.

 

Are there any steel oval options available?

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Are there any steel oval options available?

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This question is old, but maybe the answer will help someone as I had the same question. CAMO Stainless Steel Elliptical Chainring
This is only the ring. If you have direct mount, you add one of their five aluminium carriers for your system, with one of three offsets-- non-boost and some boost (8mm inward), boost (5mm) or fatbike (3mm outward). Unclear how much more durable their 416 stainless will be than aluminium, but one can only hope the added durability will compensate for the high cost.

Furthering the debate on round vs oval, mfr states their oval has more moderate ovality and timing, so you'll barely notice the difference while it's doing all the good stuff.