The Benefits and Applications of Aluminum
Aluminum is a strong, yet lightweight and versatile metal with various benefits. Aluminum may be cast, machined, molded, melted, and extruded, allowing for a wide range of forms and sizes. This makes it a necessary material since it can be shaped into many shapes.
Aluminum is becoming increasingly popular across the world due to its strength and adaptability. Although the aluminum extrusion process is complicated, the extrusion may be finished in a variety of ways, including anodized, painted, or milled, and fabricated or machined as necessary. Let’s take a look at the benefits of aluminum.
Lightweight
Because of its lightweight qualities, aluminum is a preferred option among technical producers. Aluminum is a third the weight of steel, making it easier and less expensive to transport.
Aluminum sheets are stronger and utilized for projects including automobile paneling, kitchen fittings, building claddings, artwork, and other uses because aluminum is corrosion resistant and easy to produce.
Aluminum, as previously stated, is a strong material that may be strengthened by adding other alloying elements.
Resistance to corrosion
Aluminum resists corrosion because it produces a protective covering naturally. When aluminum comes into contact with an oxidizing environment, it forms a brittle coating. The protective aluminum layer is applied to assist prevent corrosion on the surface. Surface treatments such as anodizing or painting will also increase the metal’s overall corrosion resistance.
Thermal and electrical conductivity
Aluminum is an excellent heat and electrical conductor. Aluminum is less conductive than copper, although it is a third of the weight. This indicates that a half-weight aluminum wire will conduct the same amount of electrical resistance as a copper wire.
As a result, aluminum is the material of choice for power transmission lines. Aluminum is used in food packaging and for delicate products such as medications since it is odorless and non-toxic. Aluminum foil is odorless and has a thickness of 0.0004 to 0.0007mm.
Because of its propensity to reflect heat and light, aluminum is an excellent reflector used in light fittings and rescue blankets. Aluminum is a good heat conductor and is utilized as heatsinks in a variety of applications, including computer motherboards, electrical devices, and LED lights.
Recyclability
Many people believe that aluminum cannot be recycled. Aluminum, on the other hand, is 100% recyclable due to its properties. Aluminum is recyclable and retains all of its qualities. Because recycled aluminum is recyclable, many large corporations, such as Coca-Cola, utilize it for their cans.
Many firms will opt to use recycled aluminum in their manufacturing since it is far less expensive than utilizing new metal.
Aluminum’s applications in the manufacturing industry
Because aluminum has a superior weight ratio than copper, it is good for wiring grids, local power distribution lines, and overhead power transmission lines. Although aluminum has just half the conductivity of copper, it is lighter, has a similar electrical resistance, and is less costly than copper.
Aluminum is a precious material and the core of many high-rise buildings and skyscrapers because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum is suitable for the building sector due to its design flexibility and durability, as well as the fact that it conserves energy. If the building foundations were all steel, skyscrapers would be considerably more expensive.
Aluminum is commonly utilized in the electrical manufacturing business. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, computer displays, flat-screen TVs, and other electronic items are made of aluminum.
Aluminum is necessary for the electronics sector since it is utilized to replace plastic and steel in the cooling of CPUs and graphics processors. Aluminum is a popular choice because of its great heat conductivity. Aluminum bodies and components are used in newer technological goods.
Aluminum is utilized in household and commercial goods such as refrigerators and air conditioners. They also cater to dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances, and the design incorporates aluminum. Refrigerators and freezers are ideal because they are practical, and the aluminum generates properties that aid in the cooling process and make the refrigerator perform efficiently.
Now that you know the countless benefits and uses of aluminum, you can check the aluminum stock selection at FastMetals and decide if this metal is a good fit for your application.