Aluminum
Aluminum: The most plentiful metal on Earth. Represents 8% of the Earth’s crust.
Aluminum exists primarily as oxides, and the process of extracting aluminum from oxides is very intensive. Approximately 2%-3% of the electricity used in the U.S. is used for this process.
Properties of Aluminum: Not intended for structural applications. Alloying elements are almost always added to aluminum when it is required for industrial applications.
Production of Aluminum: In terms of metal produced, aluminum is only second to steel. About 25% of aluminum is used for containers, 20% used for architectural applications (doors, windows, and siding) and 10% for electrical conductors.
Cost of Aluminum: Has limited usage because of high initial cost when compared with steel and the lack of performance for structural applications.
Favorable Characteristics of Aluminum:
1. 1/3 the density of steel
2. Good thermal and electrical conductivity
3. High strength-to-weight ratio
4. Can be given a hard surface by anodizing and hard coating
5. Has alloys that are weldable
6. Will not rust
7. Has high reflectivity
8. Can be die cast
9. Is easily machined
10. Has good formability
11. Is nonmagnetic
12. Is nontoxic
It’s high strength-to-weight ratio and ability to resist corrosion are the primary factors that make aluminum an attractive structural engineering material.
Aluminum: The most plentiful metal on Earth. Represents 8% of the Earth’s crust.
Aluminum exists primarily as oxides, and the process of extracting aluminum from oxides is very intensive. Approximately 2%-3% of the electricity used in the U.S. is used for this process.
Properties of Aluminum: Not intended for structural applications. Alloying elements are almost always added to aluminum when it is required for industrial applications.
Production of Aluminum: In terms of metal produced, aluminum is only second to steel. About 25% of aluminum is used for containers, 20% used for architectural applications (doors, windows, and siding) and 10% for electrical conductors.
Cost of Aluminum: Has limited usage because of high initial cost when compared with steel and the lack of performance for structural applications.
Favorable Characteristics of Aluminum:
1. 1/3 the density of steel
2. Good thermal and electrical conductivity
3. High strength-to-weight ratio
4. Can be given a hard surface by anodizing and hard coating
5. Has alloys that are weldable
6. Will not rust
7. Has high reflectivity
8. Can be die cast
9. Is easily machined
10. Has good formability
11. Is nonmagnetic
12. Is nontoxic
It’s high strength-to-weight ratio and ability to resist corrosion are the primary factors that make aluminum an attractive structural engineering material.
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