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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.

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.

These days, aluminum is extensively used in its alloy form, as it is an extremely light weight metal and very cost effective. The alloy is very strong, making it an ideal metal for aircrafts and rockets. The aerospace industry requires metals which are not only strong, but durable, flexible, ductile and malleable. Aluminum alloy is often stronger than other pure metals; however, it gets corroded very easily. Thus if anticorrosive metal is required, it is best advised to use pure aluminum. To reduce costs further, aluminum can be used as an extra coating over the alloys, to protect it from corrosion.

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.

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.

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.

Alnico alloys, are alluminum alloys and are used to make permanent magnets. Alnico magnets are made by heating to a certain temperature and cooling in a magnetic field. They are used widely in electrical devices.

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.

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Harry Browar is the webmaster for First Alluminum, the #1 source on the internet for information about alluminum, For more articles on alluminum visit: www.firstaluminum.com/articles
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