Aluminum: Uses of Aluminum

Aluminum is a silvery-white and a very popular metal that has many uses and useful properties. No other metal has as many uses as aluminum does. As this metal has recycling properties, it is enough to meet all our daily needs. It is used at home, in construction, in several car parts and also in most of the modes of transportation. It is quite surprising to see that there are so many uses of the metal.

Various Uses of Aluminum in Society

At Home

It is used for window frames, door knobs and to make utensils in the kitchen. There are various things that are made out of it at home, like the utensils and foils in which food is packed. It can even be used as a wrinkle remover from clothes; some of the uses also include home decor items like window frames, door knobs, railings, grills, curtain bars as well as artifacts made from aluminum. It is used in making golf clubs, indoor and outdoor furniture, tennis bats, refrigerators, toasters, saucepans, kettles, etc.

Transportation

Transportation includes air, water and road transport. A few parts of aircraft carriers are made from this metal as this is a light weight metal. In addition to it, it is widely used for making boats and ship construction. There are a several car parts that are also made using it. Railway carriages are also made out of it.

In Cars

The metal is widely used in cars. Aluminum car parts have good thermal and aesthetic properties. These car parts are quite cheap. Few car parts such as wheels, engine blocks, suspension components, hoods, transmission housings, wheel spacer bars are made of aluminum. Other parts such as carburetors housings, handles, few ornaments and logos, brackets, mirrors, air filler adapters, alternator housings, impellers and fan clutch parts also involve its use. Valve covers are also made of it.

Packaging

Packaging is one of the most common uses of aluminum. Drink cans, bottle caps, foils, trays, etc. are all made out of it. Other uses for packaging are storage boxes, utensil lids, thermos, etc.

In Construction

Aluminum is widely used for construction. Most of the construction material uses it. Aluminum scrap, casting, fabricating, pipes, sheets, tubing, tanks, bars, wire, stampings, windows, pins, doors, rods, railings, ladders, shutters, building bridges, skylights, etc. also used in commercial buildings. Staircases are also made from it. It is also used for many industrial appliances.

Properties of Aluminum

• Light Weight: Its weight is about 1/3 of the weight of steel, brass or copper of equal volume.
• Strength: The strength is such that it can stand heavy pressures and loads. When it is alloyed properly, it can have the strength of steel.
• Electrical Conductivity: The conductivity is twice as compared to the conductivity of copper.
• Thermal Conductivity: It can quickly spread heat or cooling energy in an even and quick manner.
• Non-Toxic: It is non-toxic and this property makes it ideal for packing cooking material.
• Reflectivity: It reflects light as well as other forms of radiant energy.
• Ductility: The metal is ductile and thus, can be drawn into wires.
• Mixable: It can be modified by alloying it with metals that make it malleable, conductive and resilient than aluminum alone.
• Finishing: A variety of coatings and finishes can be used over it such as paints, lacquer, organic coatings, or porcelain.
• Costing: It is quite cheaper and economical, all in all, it is cost-effective.
• Recyclable It can be easily recycled into many products.
• Corrosion: It corrodes less so it is used in the construction of many buildings.
• Durability: It has a great amount of durability.

Here were some of the uses and properties of aluminum. Due to the unusual combination of the metal, it is used on a large scale in this modern world which also makes it a great metal to work on.