Aluminum - The Multifaceted Metal

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.

Aluminum is widely used in mirrors and telescopes due to its utmost reflective property. Household looking glasses are often made with a thin pane of aluminum fitted behind a float glass. In the case of telescopes, added reflection and magnification is obtained by placing an aluminum sheet in front of the glass.

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.

Most electrical wires are made of aluminum, as it is very cost effective. Even though copper is a safer metal, people opt for aluminum to save money. Since aluminum is a very good conductor of heat and electricity, people do not find aluminum a safe metal for electrical purposes in many countries, due to the risk of over heating.

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.

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.

Aluminum is an extensively used metal with a variety of uses. The Chinese people were the first users of aluminum during 300 A.D.They created things from aluminum in reality. Aluminum was used as a salt compound for dying by the Greeks and the Romans. Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals in today's world.

Article Source: http://publisherscloninghouse.com

Harry Browar is the owner of First Alluminum, the web's premier resource for information about alluminum. For more articles on alluminum visit: www.firstaluminum.com/articles
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