Aluminum The Multipurpose Metal

Aluminum is a lightweight metal and because of this property is used for many purposes. It is soft and pliable with a dull silvery look. It maintains this look because of a thin layer of oxidation on its surface. This oxidation means that it is corrosion resistant and can be used to protect many surfaces. When polished it has a higher reflective property than most metals with the exception of silver, gold and copper. Added to all these properties, it is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Aluminum is obtained by extraction from bauxite ore by electrolytic process.

One of the many uses of alluminum are mirrors. Because it has one of the highest reflective properties of all metals, it is used widely for mirrors and telescopes. A thin sheet of the metal is placed behind float glass to make household mirrors. In telescopes the sheet of alluminum is placed in front of the glass for added reflection and magnification.

These days, aluminum is extensively used in its alloy form, as it is an extremely light weight metal and very cost effective. The alloy is very strong, making it an ideal metal for aircrafts and rockets. The aerospace industry requires metals which are not only strong, but durable, flexible, ductile and malleable. Aluminum alloy is often stronger than other pure metals; however, it gets corroded very easily. Thus if anticorrosive metal is required, it is best advised to use pure aluminum. To reduce costs further, aluminum can be used as an extra coating over the alloys, to protect it from corrosion.

Another use of alluminum is for killing bacteria in water and making it safe to drink. This is alluminum in a powder form. When used for this pupose it is known as allum. It can also be used to kill some parasites that can cause diseases in fish.

Most electrical wires are made of aluminum, as it is very cost effective. Even though copper is a safer metal, people opt for aluminum to save money. Since aluminum is a very good conductor of heat and electricity, people do not find aluminum a safe metal for electrical purposes in many countries, due to the risk of over heating.

Aluminum in its powdered form is very often used in paint, and a silvering agent in paint and mirrors. Aluminum when used in wood primer makes it water resistent. In mirrors, aluminum is pasted behind glass, which is then exposed to oxygen, forming aluminum oxide as the base of the mirror. Silver was used for this purpose earlier and it is the reason why the process is still called silvering.

Aluminum alloys, also known as alnico alloys are widely used to make permanent magnets, which are used in electrical devices. They are made by heating aluminum alloys to a particular temperature and then cooling them in a magnetic field.

As you can see, alluminum has many uses and is one of the most widely used metals. The Chinese were some of the first to make use of it in 300 AD. They actually made things from it. The Greeks and Romans also used it as a salt compound for dying. It is one of the most used metals in the world today.

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Harry Browar is the owner and operator of First Alluminum, the best place on the internet for information about alluminum, For more articles on alluminum why not visit: www.firstaluminum.com/articles
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