Characteristics of Aluminium Aluminium, a metallic element which comes from the ore bauxite, is one of about 100 basic elements out of which the earth is built. Bauxite is named after Les Baux, France, where it was first discovered in 1821. Aluminium is a light metal which can be given tremendous strength by alloying. It conducts heat and electricity, reflects light and radiant energy and resists corrosion. It is also non-magnetic, non-toxic, and can be formed by all known metal working processes. Because of these advantages it has thousands of uses. The following table outlines some of its features and uses. - Characteristics Available forms Typical uses 1200 'Commercially pure' aluminium. Very ductile in extruded condition. Excellent resistance to corrosion. Simple shapes. Mouldings, lightly stressed and decorative assemblies in architecture and transport, equipment for chemical, food and brewing industries; heat exchangers. 6063 Suitable for intricate extruded sections of medium strength. Forms well in T4 temper. High corrosion resistance. Good surface finish. Excellent finishing characteristics especially anodising. All shapes. Tubing, rod. Architectural members such as glazing bars and window frames. Windscreen sections. Road transport trim. 6005 General purpose structural alloy. Good mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and weldability. Structural shapes. Rod, bar and tubing. Structural applications of all kinds. Road and rail transport vehicles, cranes, bridges, roof trusses etc. Drive screws, bolts and nuts. 6060 Special purpose structural alloy. Good surface finish and corrosion resistance. Good formability in T4 temper. Good weldability. Responds well to surface finishing, especially anodising. Structural shapes of all kinds. Rod, bar and tubing. Offered in the T5 temper with the same mechanical properties as 6351 T6. Structural applications where surface finish is important or where thin, intricate shapes are involved. Yacht masts, road transport sections, e.g. Plankflor. Ladder sections. 6082 The recommended alloy for structural purposes with good strength and general corrosion resistance. Good weldability. Structural shapes. Rod, bar, tubing. Vehicles, bridges, cranes, roof trusses and all general structural applications. 2014 Free machining alloy of medium strength giving fragmented chips. Not suitable for anodising. Rod and bar. Automatic lathe products. Properties of Aluminium The following table shows some of properties of Aluminium and their benifits: 1. Lightweight The specific gravity of aluminium is 2.7, about one-third that of iron (7.9) and copper (8.9).   This feature is particularly important in transportation industries: for example, aircraft, automobiles, trains and ships. It contributes to energy saving in transporting, increasing loading capacity and speed. Aluminium is used as a material for high-rise buildings, power transmission cables, and transmission towers on mountain-tops. 2. Excellent.corrosion.resistance When aluminium is exposed to air, a thin oxidised film forms on the surface protecting the metal from corrosion. Anodising can make corrosion resistance even more effective.   This feature is utilised in construction, buildings, and household utensils. 3. Easy to work Aluminium can be easily fabricated into various forms such as foil, sheets, shapes, rods, tubes, and wires. It also displays excellent machinability and plasticity in bending, cutting, and drawing.   Aluminium is considered to be the best material for complex-sectioned hollow extrusion. 4. Nontoxic Aluminium itself is nontoxic and odourless. Its surface is smooth, easily washable, and hygienic because no germs can grow on it.   Due to these features, it is widely used in beverage cans, food packaging, cooking utensils, and in the fishery and dairy industries. 5. Strong at low temperatures Although steel becomes brittle at low temperatures, aluminium increases in tensile strength and retains excellent quality.   Aluminium can be used in extreme environments 6. Strong The tensile strength of pure aluminium is not high, but depending upon the alloy or temper, a strength of up to 60 kg/mm2 can be reached.   You can choose the alloy with the most suitable strength characteristics you need according to your application. Some alloys are stronger than ordinary steel or even equal to special steel in tensile strength. 7. Easy surface treatment Aluminium can be easily chemically and electrochemically surface treated or painted.   Above all, anodizing treatment and dyeing can bring about excellent corrosion resistance and a wide range of colour variations. Thus aluminium is widely used for interior and exterior products of buildings household utensils and electrical appliances. 8. Good electric conductor The electrical conductivity of aluminium is approximately 60% that of copper. However, aluminium weighs about one-third as much as copper of the same mass.   br>Aluminium is a very economical material as an electric conductor and is widely utilized in power-transmission cables, bases of electric bulbs, and in other electric fields. 9. Good heat conductor Aluminium is about three times as thermal-conductive as steel.   It is used for cooking utensils, air-conditioners, industrial heat exchangers, and automobile engine parts. It is also being used in energy saving equipment such as solar collectors. 10. Non magnetic Aluminium is non magnetic   It is used in marine magnetic-compasses, parabolic antennas, computer disks, etc. 11. High reflectivity Aluminium is highly reflective of light, heat, and electric waves. The purer the metal, the more so.   This feature is utilized for reflecting mirrors, reflectors (stoves, infrared dryers, lighting equipment), and wave guides. It is also used as an insulating material in buildings. 12. Recyclable Easy to recycle - Due to a low melting temperature, it is economically recyclable, requiring only about 1/28 the energy required for smelting. Sound-absorbing - Shock-absorbing -   It is an ideal material in this age of energy and resource saving.   It can be used for ceilings. Because of low modulus of elasticity, it is used for automobile bumpers and the like.