Aluminum - The Multifaceted Metal

Aluminum, the dull silvery metal has taken the world by storm with its versatile utility. Aluminum is a lightweight, soft and flexible metal which has a variety of uses. It is extracted from bauxite ore by electrolytic process. The dull silvery look of the metal is due to a thin film of oxidation over it, fortifying its resistance to corrosion thus protecting many exteriors. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat and electricity. If you polish aluminum it will be a better reflector than most other metals excluding gold, copper and silver.

Aluminum is widely used in mirrors and telescopes due to its utmost reflective property. Household looking glasses are often made with a thin pane of aluminum fitted behind a float glass. In the case of telescopes, added reflection and magnification is obtained by placing an aluminum sheet in front of the glass.

In today's world alloys of aluminum are more in use. The alloys of aluminum are strong and lightweight and are perfect for making rocket and aircraft gears, which need to be durable and featherweight. These alloys are stronger than pure aluminum but have a reduced amount of anti decay properties. If you want maximum anti corrosion you have to use aluminum in a pure form. Aluminum in pure form is also used as protective varnish.

Aluminum in a powder form is used for water treatment to kill bacteria and make the water safe and sound. This powdered aluminum is known as allum. Allum is also used to destroy parasites that are source to some fish diseases.

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.

Article Source: http://www.diyarticlelibrary.com

Harry Browar is the webmaster for First Alluminum, a fantastic resource for information about alluminum. For more articles on alluminum why not visit: www.firstaluminum.com/articles
Click here to get your own unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submissions Service

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated