Aluminum is a 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.

Along with aluminum's great contribution towards the aerospace and construction industry, it is universally used to make mirrors. Aluminum reflects light and other substances very easily, thus making it a great metal for making mirrors and telescopes. Most mirrors have a thin layer of aluminum behind them to increase the quality of reflection. In telescopes, aluminum sheet is used behind the glass, to add to the magnification and reflection.

Nowadays, alluminum is used in alloy form. These alloys are very lightweight and strong. This makes them ideal for use in aircraft and rockets which need light and durable components. Alluminum alloys are stronger than the pure metal but with less anticorrosive properties. When a maximum amount of corrosion resistence is needed pure alluminum is used. It can also be used as a protective coating.

Aluminum is also used in powdered form to purify drinking water. When used for this purpose, it is often known as alum. It is strong enough to kill parasites that cause diseases in fish.

I have stated earlier that aluminum is an enormously good conductor of heat and electricity. Though copper is deemed a better conductor but lags behind because of its high expense value. Aluminum is used in electrical wiring but as it conducts heat and electricity so well that there are chances of mishaps due to overheating. So in some areas electrical wiring of houses are no longer made from aluminum.

You can use powdered aluminum in paints and it has proved especially good for a wood primer because as it dries it becomes water resistant. Aluminum is used to put in a silvery hue to paints and add a silvery touch to mirrors. Silvering process adds a thin film of aluminum oxide at the back of the mirror. In this process the glass is placed in a heated chamber along with aluminum and after that it is exposed to oxygen. In the original process silver was used for this use.

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: Free Articles - http://www.articlesworldonline.com

Harry Browar is the owner 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
Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submission Service

Please Rate this Article

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

Not yet Rated