Aluminum – Types and Their Uses

Aluminum, a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13, is one of the most common metals on Earth. It makes up about 8% of the Earth’s crust and is the third most abundant element in the cosmos, after oxygen and silicon. Its lightness, strength and corrosion resistance make aluminum an extremely versatile material, used in a wide range of applications, from packaging to aircraft.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the different types of aluminum, their properties and applications. You’ll learn how aluminum is classified, the most popular alloys and how their characteristics determine their use.

Classification of aluminum

Aluminum is classified in two main ways:

By purity:

• Pure aluminum (99.5%): This is the purest form of aluminum, with a soft and ductile structure. It is mainly used in the chemical and food industries.
• Technical aluminum: It contains small amounts of impurities such as iron, silicon and copper. It is more durable than pure aluminum and is used in a wider range of applications.

According to processing:

• Cast aluminum: Produced by pouring molten metal into a mold. This is a cheaper way to produce, but cast aluminum is less strong than wrought aluminum.
• Wrought aluminum: Subjected to mechanical processing such as rolling, stamping or drawing. 

This is a more expensive way to produce, but plastic-treated aluminum is more durable and can be shaped into more complex shapes.

The most popular aluminum alloys

There are many different aluminum alloys, each with unique properties. Some of the most popular alloys are:

• 1000 series: pure aluminum with small additions of other metals. This is the softest and most ductile aluminum alloy, used mainly in electrical wiring and aluminum foil.
• 2000 series: Aluminum alloys with copper and magnesium. These are stronger and more durable than pure aluminum, used in aerospace and automotive structures.
• 3000 series: Aluminum alloys with manganese. They are corrosion-resistant and used in construction and household appliances.
• 4000 series: Aluminum alloys with silicon. They are strong and wear-resistant and used in engine pistons and automobile wheels.
• 5000 series: Aluminum-magnesium alloys. They are lightweight and strong, used in aerospace and sports structures.
• 6000 series: Aluminum alloys with magnesium and silicon. They are strong, corrosion-resistant and used in a wide range of applications, from construction to electronic equipment.
• 7000 series: Aluminum alloys with zinc. They are the strongest of all aluminum alloys, used in aerospace and military structures.

If you want to know which aluminum is the hardest read the article: https://worldofaluminum.com/aluminum/which-aluminum-is-the-hardest/xoue_srlg . 

Applications of aluminum

Aluminum is used in a wide range of applications because of its unique properties. Some of the most common applications are:

• Packaging: Aluminum is commonly used for food and beverage packaging due to its light weight, strength and corrosion resistance.
• Construction: Aluminum is used in building structures, windows, doors and other architectural elements due to its lightness, strength and corrosion resistance.
• Transportation: Aluminum is used in the construction of airplanes, cars, trains and bicycles, due to its lightness, strength and corrosion resistance.
• Electronics: Aluminum is used in electronic equipment housings, electrical wiring and heat sinks, due to its electrical and thermal conductivity.
• Sports equipment: Aluminum is used in tennis rackets, golf clubs, bicycles and other pieces of sports equipment, for its lightness, strength and rigidity. Tennis rackets made of aluminum are lightweight and easy to maneuver, while golf clubs made of aluminum are strong and precise. Aluminum bicycles are lightweight and strong, making them ideal for long-distance cycling.
• Other applications: Aluminum is also used in many other applications, such as furniture, tools, medical devices and toys.

Summary

Aluminum is an extremely versatile metal with a wide range of applications. Its lightness, strength, corrosion resistance and electrical and thermal conductivity make it an ideal material for a wide variety of applications. Aluminum is also fully recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly material.

Because of its unique properties, aluminum is an indispensable material in many areas of life. From packaging to aircraft, aluminum plays a key role in the modern world.