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Aluminum is a Multipurpose Metal

By: Harry Browar

Aluminum is the most multipurpose metals that we have today. It is a silvery and ductile. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. The greatest quality of aluminum is that it is extremely light in weight and does not get corroded easily. When aluminum comes in contact with oxygen it reacts to form a very thin layer of oxide, which prevents the aluminum from weathering. Polished aluminum is more refelective than most metals except for silver gold and copper. Aluminum is extracted from Bauxite ore by the process of electrolysis.

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.

In today's world alloys of aluminum are more in use. The alloys of aluminum are strong and lightweight and are perfect for making rocket and aircraft gears, which need to be durable and featherweight. These alloys are stronger than pure aluminum but have a reduced amount of anti decay properties. If you want maximum anti corrosion you have to use aluminum in a pure form. Aluminum in pure form is also used as protective varnish.

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.

Aluminum in its powdered form is very often used in paint, and a silvering agent in paint and mirrors. Aluminum when used in wood primer makes it water resistent. In mirrors, aluminum is pasted behind glass, which is then exposed to oxygen, forming aluminum oxide as the base of the mirror. Silver was used for this purpose earlier and it is the reason why the process is still called silvering.

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: Main Articles

Harry Browar is the chief editor for First Alluminum, the #1 source on the internet for information about alluminum. For more articles on alluminum why not visit: www.firstaluminum.com/articles
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