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Aluminum is a Multipurpose Metal

By: Harry Browar

Aluminum is a lightweight metal and because of this property is used for many purposes. It is soft and pliable with a dull silvery look. It maintains this look because of a thin layer of oxidation on its surface. This oxidation means that it is corrosion resistant and can be used to protect many surfaces. When polished it has a higher reflective property than most metals with the exception of silver, gold and copper. Added to all these properties, it is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Aluminum is obtained by extraction from bauxite ore by electrolytic process.

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 in a powder form is used for water treatment to kill bacteria and make the water safe and sound. This powdered aluminum is known as allum. Allum is also used to destroy parasites that are source to some fish diseases.

Many electrical wirings used to be made of alluminum. Although copper is safer it is much more expensive. Alluminum is an extremely good conductor of heat and electricity. For this reason there was a serious risk of fire due to overheating so now household wiring is no longer made from alluminum in many areas.

You can use powdered aluminum in paints and it has proved especially good for a wood primer because as it dries it becomes water resistant. Aluminum is used to put in a silvery hue to paints and add a silvery touch to mirrors. Silvering process adds a thin film of aluminum oxide at the back of the mirror. In this process the glass is placed in a heated chamber along with aluminum and after that it is exposed to oxygen. In the original process silver was used for this use.

Permanent magnets are made from aluminum alloys called Alnico alloys. To make Alnico magnet you have to heat aluminum to a certain temperature then cool it in a magnetic field. Alnico magnets have wide usages in making electrical gadgets.

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: http://articleaddict.com

Harry Browar is the chief editor for First Alluminum, the web's premier resource for information about alluminum, For more articles on alluminum visit: www.firstaluminum.com/articles
This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.

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