Most Common Uses of Aluminum
Aluminum is a highly valuable metal due to it’s special engineering properties. Aluminum is strong but lightweight, hence perfect for transportation applications such as cars and planes where it drastically reduces strength to weight ratio.
Aluminum can also be easily recycled, making it a sustainable (energy saving by recyling instead of creating from scrap) option for packaging and manufacturing. Hospitals use aluminum to create medical equipment such as pacemakers and prosthetic limbs. In addition, aluminum is an essential component of building materials such as roofing and siding due to low density and high strength.
First, What is Aluminum?
Aluminum is a chemical element with symbol “Al” and atomic number 13. It is a silver-white, soft, non-magnetic metal. By mass, aluminum makes up about 8% of the Earth’s crust.
It is the third most abundant element after oxygen and silicon and the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. Metallic aluminum is too reactive chemically to occur naturally on Earth in free form, so it must be extracted from minerals such as bauxite followed by refining to produce aluminum.
Aluminum has excellent corrosion resistance. A thin film of aluminum oxide forms on the surface that prevents further corrosion. The oxides are translucent and light colored, appearing white or silvery under natural lighting.
Properties of Aluminum
Aluminum has interesting engineering & physical properties. It is strong yet lightweight, making it an ideal material for many applications. It also has a low electrical resistance, which makes it an excellent conductor of electricity. Additionally, aluminum does not corrode in the presence of air and water like other metals do, making it a popular choice for construction materials.
The main properties of Aluminum are:
- Aluminum is a lightweight metal that is corrosion-resistant. Aluminum density is 2.70 g/cm3.
- The melting point of Aluminum is 1,220.58°F (660.32°C).
- The thermal conductivity of Aluminum is 237 W/(m⋅K).
- The thermal expansion of Aluminum is 3.1 µm/(m⋅K) (@ 25 °C).
- Aluminum is a Paramagnetic Material.
- Aluminum is non-toxic and does not create sparks when it comes into contact with other metals.
- It can be easily recycled and is often used in packaging materials.
- Aluminum is durable and can be used in a variety of applications, including construction and transportation.
Top 5 Most Common Uses of Aluminum
1. Uses of Aluminum in Electrical
Aluminum is a lightweight metal that has many uses in electrical applications. Aluminum has a electrical conductivity of approx. 63% compared to copper but due to a density of around 1/3 of copper, It is often used as a conductor in wires and cables, and it is also used in electrical equipment and machinery.
Aluminum is non-magnetic, which makes it ideal for use in electrical equipment. It is also a good conductor of heat and electricity, which makes it an important component in many electrical applications.
Besides power lines and cables, aluminum is used in the manufacturing of motors, appliances, and power systems. Television antennae and satellite TV receivers, as well as certain LED bulbs are made of aluminum.
2. Uses of Aluminum is Consumer Goods
Aluminum is a versatile and durable material that has many uses in the consumer goods sector. Aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, making it an ideal material for dissipating heat from electronic devices. Apple uses aluminum in the chassis of its iphone and other gadgets to keep them cool. The metal’s heat-dissipating properties help to prevent the devices from overheating and crashing.
It has a high surface finish which makes it ideal for decorative products, and it is also strong and lightweight, making it perfect for household items such as cookware and cutlery. In addition, aluminum is non-toxic and does not corrode, making it a safe choice for use in contact with food.
3. Uses of Aluminum in Aerospace
Aluminum is extensively used in the aerospace industry because of its light weight, high strength-to-weight ratio, ductility and non-magnetic properties. It can be alloyed with other metals to produce a variety of materials with different properties, making it an ideal material for aircraft and spacecraft. Composite materials composed of aluminum and other materials, such as carbon fiber or glass fiber, are also increasingly being used in aerospace applications to further improve performance.
4. Uses of Aluminum in Transportation
There are many uses of aluminum in transportation. One of the most important is that it is a light-weight material that can be used to make high speed trains. Aluminum can also be used to reduce the weight of a vehicle, which leads to increased fuel efficiency. Additionally, aluminum is corrosion resistant, which makes it an ideal material for transportation applications.
Aluminum is a valuable resource for transportation due to its light weight and high speed. Trains made of aluminum can reach top speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, making them ideal for travel between major cities. Additionally, the reduced weight of aluminum trains means they consume less fuel, resulting in reduced emissions and environmental impact.
5. Uses of Aluminum in Food & Beverages
Aluminum is a non-toxic metal that is often used in the food and beverage industry. It has good malleability and formability, making it easy to shape into various containers. It is also strong, making it a good choice for packaging products that need to be transported or stored. In addition, aluminum can be recycled easily, making it an environmentally friendly option.
It is lightweight and strong, and it does not corrode in the presence of moisture. This makes it a good material for food and beverage containers. Aluminum cans are popular for packaging soft drinks, beer, and other beverages. They are also used to package foods such as soup, tuna fish, and macaroni and cheese.
Aluminum has a variety of uses in the food and beverage industries. It can be used as an container, a packaging material, or a cooking vessel/ utensils.
Aluminum is often used as an container for foods such as for tinned cans, beer cans, and pickles box.
Aluminum foil is commonly used to wrap food for cooking or storage. The metal is also sometimes used to make cooking vessels such as pots and pans as it is a good thermal conductor.
