- 21 November 2024
Lightweight, durable, corrosion-resistant and functional - this combination of qualities has made aluminum the main construction material of our time. Aluminum is found in the homes we live in, the cars, trains and planes we travel in, in cell phones and computers, on the shelves of refrigerators and in modern interiors. But 200 years ago, little was known about the metal.
Many people don't know if aluminum is a metal. They definitely do. Aluminum is a silvery-white metal, the 13th element of the periodic table. Aluminum is the most abundant metal on earth, accounting for more than 8% of the total mass of the Earth's crust, and is the third most common chemical element on the planet after oxygen and silicon. Doubts about whether aluminum is a metal stem from the fact that aluminum does not occur in nature in its pure form due to its high chemical reactivity. Therefore, we learned about it relatively recently. Aluminum did not formally begin to be produced until 1824, and it took another half century before industrial production began.
Most often in nature, aluminum is found in alum. These are minerals that are a combination of two sulfuric acid salts: one based on an alkali metal (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium or cesium) and the other based on a metal of group III of the periodic table, mainly aluminum. Alum is still used in water purification, cooking, medicine, cosmetology, chemical and other industries.
Aluminum exhibits a rare combination of valuable properties. It is one of the lightest metals in nature: it is almost three times lighter than iron, but at the same time strong, extremely malleable and not subject to corrosion because its surface is covered with a thin but very durable oxide layer. Other properties of aluminum include good electrical conductivity and the ability to react, that is, form alloys with other metals. As positive properties of aluminumshould be considered the fact that it is suitable for all types of machining
Aluminum can be easily machined under pressure, both hot and cold. It can be rolled, drawn and stamped. Aluminum does not burn, does not require special painting and is non-toxic unlike plastic. The plasticity of aluminum is very high: sheets as thin as 4 microns can be made from it. And ultra-thin aluminum foil is three times thinner than a human hair. In addition, compared to other metals and materials, it is more economical.
Steel is one of the most popular metals. Products made from it are very durable and practical. It is used to manufacture structures of varying complexity: from gaskets and washers to shaped profiles in the shipbuilding industry. As for aluminum versus steel, the former metal almost matches its strength. At the same time, aluminum is an ideal and inexpensive alternative to relatively expensive steel. The main difference when it comes to aluminum versus steel is the weight-to-strength ratio. Many people mistakenly believe that aluminum alloys are light and soft, suitable only for domestic use. Despite its lightness, the metal has good strength and can withstand significant loads.
Although plastic is extremely popular, in a comparison, aluminum versus plastic definitely wins the former. First of all, aluminum is more reliable and durable than plastic. Aluminum profiles can be of any size and shape. Customers today have a wide range of different colors and imitations to choose from. For example, natural wood.
The relationship between aluminum and steel is easiest to trace on the basis of windows. For example, only aluminum is used for glazing original buildings. As for the installation of aluminum and plastic windows, aluminum can be easily repaired if necessary. Repairing plastic windows can be quite expensive in some cases. Aluminum is completely safe and harmless to use, and does not emit any harmful fumes. As for plastic, it is also safe and harmless. However, it does not "breathe" indoors. In some cases, plastic cannot be used unless a proper ventilation and air conditioning system is installed.
