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Physically, chemically and mechanically, aluminum is a metal similar to steel, brass, copper, zinc, lead or titanium. It can be melted, cast, formed and machined in a similar way to these metals and conducts electric currents. In fact, often the same equipment and fabrication methods are used as for steel.
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Light Weight
Aluminum is a very light metal with a specific weight of 2.7 g/cm3, about a third of that of steel. This cuts the costs of manufacturing with aluminum. Again, its use in vehicles reduces dead-weight and energy consumption while increasing load capacity. This also reduces noise and improves comfort levels.
Its strength can be adapted to the application required by modifying the composition of its alloys. Aluminum-magnesium-manganese alloys are an optimum mix of formability with strength, while aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloys are ideal for automobile body sheets, which show good age-hardening when subjected to the bake-on painting process.
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum naturally generates a protective thin oxide coating which keeps the metal from making further contact with the environment. It is particularly useful for applications where it is exposed to corroding agents, as in kitchen cabinets and in vehicles. In general, aluminum alloys are less corrosion-resistant than pure aluminum, except for marine magnesium-aluminum alloys. Different types of surface treatment such as anodising, painting or lacquering can further improve this property.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity
Aluminum is an excellent heat and electricity conductor and in relation to its weight is almost twice as good a conductor as copper. This has made aluminum the first choice for major power transmission lines. It is also a superb heat sink for many applications that require heat to be drained away rapidly, such as in computer motherboards and LED lights.
Reflectivity
Aluminum is a good reflector of visible light as well as heat, and that together with its low weight, makes it an ideal material for reflectors in, for example, light fittings or rescue blankets. Cool roofs made of coated aluminum are invaluable in reducing internal solar heat within a house, by reflecting up to 95% of sunlight.
Ductility
Aluminum is ductile and has a low melting point and density. It can be processed in several ways in a molten condition. Its ductility allows aluminum products to be formed close to the end of the product’s design. Whether sheets, foil, geometrical configurations, tubes, rods or wires, aluminum is up to them all.
Strength at Low Temperatures
In contrast to steel, which rapidly becomes brittle at low temperatures, aluminum shows increased tensile strength as temperatures drop.
Impermeable and Odorless
Aluminum foil is only 0.007 mm in thickness, but is still durable and completely impermeable, keeping any food wrapped in it free of external tastes or smells. It keeps out ultraviolet rays as well.
Moreover, the metal itself is non-toxic and odorless, which makes it ideal for packaging sensitive products such as food or pharmaceuticals. The fact that recycled aluminum can be used reduces the carbon footprint for this stage of food and beverage manufacturers as well.
Non-magnetic
Aluminum is non-magnetic, making it useful for electrical shieldings as in computer disks, dish antennas, busbars or magnet housings.
Non-toxic
Aluminum is non-toxic and is used to make woks, pressure cookers and many other cooking utensils without fear. It is easily cleaned and does not contaminate the food at any stage.
Sound and Shock Absorption
Aluminum is an excellent sound absorber and is used for constructing ceilings. It is also used in auto bumpers due to its shock-absorbing properties.
Non-sparking
Aluminum produces no sparks when it comes into contact with itself or non-ferrous metals.
Recyclability
Aluminum is 100% recyclable and recycled aluminum is identical to the virgin product. This makes it a much more cost-effective source material for production runs. The re-melting of aluminum requires little energy: only about 5% of the energy required to produce the primary metal initially is needed in the recycling process.
Sources and Further Reading
- https://aluminuminsider.com/aluminum-alloys-in-shipbuilding-a-fast-growing-trend/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328252678_Application_of_Aluminum_and_Aluminum_Alloys_in_Engineering
- Aluminum.org. The aluminum advantage. https://www.aluminum.org/aluminum-advantage
- Aalco.co.uk. Introduction to Aluminum and its alloys. http://www.aalco.co.uk/datasheets/Aluminum-Alloy_Introduction-to-Aluminum-and-its-alloys_9.ashx
This article was updated on 25th June, 2019
What is Aluminium? It is a chemical element, which is found naturally on Earth. It is the most abundant metal on our planet, as it makes up roughly 8% of the crust on the surface. It is very versatile, making it the second most used metal after steel in various ways such as in automobiles manufacturing and buildings. Centuries after industrial production of aluminum started, its demand globally has rapidly skyrocketed to about 29 million tons annually, where approximately 22 million tons is virgin aluminium. In comparison, 7 million tons are reused aluminum from scrap metal. Worth noting, aluminium is of the metals used in engineering since it has a strength to weight ratio that is greater to that of steel.
Properties and advantages of aluminium
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The advantages of using aluminium are associated with its remarkable properties as follows:
• Resistance to corrosion
When aluminium gets exposed to air and humid conditions, a layer of oxide skin is formed to protect the aluminium surface from extreme oxidation. This self-protecting oxide layer gives aluminium the resistance it has against deterioration, resistant against weathering even to the industrial atmosphere that facilitates weathering. Anodizing treatments can further be used to enhance the resistance of the oxide layer on surfaces.
• Thermal and electrical conductivity
Aluminium conducts heat and electricity excellently. The thermal conductivity of aluminium is about 50 to 60 percent that of copper, making it very applicable in large scale production of cooking utensils. Thermal conductivity relates to transfer from one medium to another; thus, aluminium heat exchangers used in the chemical, food, and aircraft industries. Aluminum's high conductivity (1350) is about 62 percent of the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) makes it effective for use and electrical conductor and has about a third of the specific gravity of copper.
• Reflectivity
Smooth aluminium has high reflectivity on the electromagnetic spectrum from the radio waves and into the infrared and thermal range. It bounces about 80% of light and 90% of the heat that strikes its surface. This high reflectivity gives aluminium a decorated appearance and makes it effective for use against radiation of light and heat in applications such as roofing and automotive heat shields.
• Nontoxic features
The nontoxic nature of aluminium was discovered centuries ago in its first industrial use. This characteristic makes it suitable for use in cooking utensils without having harmful effects on the human body. It also facilitates its use in foil wrapping for food products in the processing industry.
• Recyclability
The recycling of aluminium is unmatched. Notably, there is a significance difference in properties between recycled and virgin aluminium. About 5% of the energy used in producing virgin aluminum is needed to recycle aluminium. Currently, approximately 60% of aluminium is recycled towards the end of its life cycle.
• Finishability
For most of its applications, aluminium does not need a protective coating. Finishing techniques such as sandblasting, polishing, and wire brushing serve most of the finishing needs, and, in most cases, the surface finish used is adequate without the need for further finishing. Where pure aluminium or additional protection is needed, a wide range of surface finishes such as paint, chemical, and electrochemical techniques are applied.
• Strength
Pure aluminium for commercial use has a tensile strength of 90MPa, making it very useful for structural materials. Working on it through processes such as cold rolling makes is stronger. Further increase in strength is made by alloying it with elements such as copper, manganese, and silicon at measured percentages. Alloys are much stronger and can be further strengthened through heat treatment.
• High strength-to-weight ratio
The strength to weight ratio of aluminium is much higher than of constructional steel. This feature makes it suitable for designing and constructing strong and lightweight structures with many advantages for structures that move, such as ships, vehicles, and aircraft.
• Ease of fabrication
The ease of fabrication of aluminium is one of its most important features due to its lower degree of workability using any casting methods. Aluminium can be fabricated into the desired thickness from foil, which is thinner than paper to aluminum wires to be rolled, aluminum sheets that can be roll-formed, stamped, and drawn. Essentially, the speed and ease with which aluminium is machined contribute significantly to the low cost of producing aluminium parts. Aluminium metal can be turned, milled, and bored at high speed, which machines are capable coupled with its flexible nature.
• Ductility
Aluminium is malleable, meaning that it can be drawn into wires without breaking. However, its ductility lower than that of copper. Aluminium also has a low density and melting point. In molten form, aluminium can be cast in several ways due to its flexibility to produce desired products such as sheets, foils, tubes, and rods.
• Strength at low temperatures
Aluminium and its alloys have proven to be useful in cold temperatures. Unlike other metals such as steel, which become brittle upon exposure to low temperatures, aluminium, and its alloys become stronger. Not only does the strength increase at low temperatures but also its tensile, yield, and impact measurements. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of aluminum increases at these conditions, making it suitable for use in cold and ice regions without accelerated breakdown due to the existence of moisture.
• Impermeable and Odorless
Aluminium, even when rolled like a foil, is 0.007mm thick and is sufficiently impermeable and does not emit smell or taste. Its is also non-toxic and coupled with its odorless and impermeable features makes it ideal for packaging products such as pharmaceuticals and foods.
• Non-magnetic
Aluminium does not attract magnets and thus referred to as paramagnetic in layman’s language. This feature makes it ideal for shielding in antennas and computer disks.
• Sound and shock absorption
Aluminium is a good absorber of sound, making it ideal for constructing roof ceilings and shock absorbers in automobiles. Aluminum foam, its porosity, material composition, thickness, and various types of treatment make it permeable to sound and shock.
Sources and further reading
Aluminium Alloy - General Information - Introduction to Aluminium and its alloys. Aalco.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2020, from http://www.aalco.co.uk/datasheets/Aluminium-Alloy_Introduction-to-Aluminium-and-its-alloys_9.ashx.
Asminternational.org. (2020). Key Characteristics of Aluminum. Asminternational.org. Retrieved 27 May 2020, from https://www.asminternational.org/documents/10192/3456792/06787G_Sample.pdf/c4151917-99fc-46e8-a310-d5578d0af160.
DJUKANOVIC, G. (2016). Aluminium alloys in shipbuilding – a fast growing trend. Aluminiuminsider.com. Retrieved 27 May 2020, from https://aluminiuminsider.com/aluminium-alloys-in-shipbuilding-a-fast-growing-trend/.
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