Introduction
Aluminum is a silvery white metal with a atomic number of 13 and a atomic weight of 26.98154. It is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen and silicon. Aluminum is a soft, light, nonmagnetic and ductile metal with good electrical and thermal conductivity. Its great strength, high reflectivity, corrosion resistance, combined with its ability to form a wide variety of shapes, make it an important material for many industrial and consumer applications.
History
Aluminum has been known for centuries, but it was not until 1825 that it was isolated by Friedrich Wöhler in Germany. Wöhler succeeded in obtaining aluminum in pure form by reducing aluminum chloride with potassium. In 1889, Hallé, an American chemist, suffered a similar experiment to Wöhler, but he achieved it by electrolyzing aluminum oxide dissolved in molten cryolite. In the same year, a process was developed in Europe which made aluminum commercially viable, and Hallés process was quickly adopted in the US and later in other countries.
Physical Properties
Aluminum is a silvery-white metal. It is lightweight and has a relatively high tensile strength and a low density. Aluminum has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and is highly reflective, which makes it an excellent material for reflectors and heat exchangers. Aluminum has a relatively soft surface, and it is easily formed into a variety of shapes using conventional metalworking processes. Aluminum is reactive with oxygen and water and corrodes easily, making it undesirable for many industrial applications. However, it can be protected from corrosion using a variety of surface treatments, such as anodizing, painting, and coating with metallic oxides.
Applications
Aluminum is one of the most versatile materials used in a wide variety of applications. Due to its combination of strength, light weight and corrosion resistance, aluminum is used in automobiles, boats, aircraft, appliances, and a variety of other uses. Some of the most common uses include electronics, construction, packaging and transportation. Aluminum is also used extensively in the manufacture of cookware and utensils.
Aluminum Alloys
Aluminum can be alloyed with other metals to produce materials with enhanced properties. These alloys can be used in a wide range of applications, such as aircraft and automotive parts, pressure vessels and pipes, and components for consumer products. Some of the most common alloying elements used in the manufacture of aluminum alloys include copper, magnesium, zinc and manganese. These elements can be added to aluminum to improve its strength, its electrical and thermal conductivity, its corrosion resistance, and its ability to be anodized.
Conclusion
Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals in the world today. Its combination of strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance make it an ideal material for a wide range of applications. Aluminum alloys are also used extensively in the manufacture of a variety of products, from transportation to consumer goods. With its wide range of uses, it is not surprising that aluminum is an essential component of many industries.
