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Aluminum is a Multipurpose Metal

By: Harry Browar

Aluminum, the dull silvery metal has taken the world by storm with its versatile utility. Aluminum is a lightweight, soft and flexible metal which has a variety of uses. It is extracted from bauxite ore by electrolytic process. The dull silvery look of the metal is due to a thin film of oxidation over it, fortifying its resistance to corrosion thus protecting many exteriors. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat and electricity. If you polish aluminum it will be a better reflector than most other metals excluding gold, copper and silver.

One of the many uses of aluminum are mirrors. Because it has one of the highest reflective properties of all metals, it is used widely for mirrors and telescopes. A thin sheet of the metal is placed behind float glass to make household mirrors. In telescopes the sheet of aluminum is placed in front of the glass for added reflection and magnification.

Nowadays, aluminum is used in alloy form. These alloys are very lightweight and strong. This makes them ideal for use in aircraft and rockets which need light and durable components. Aluminum alloys are stronger than the pure metal but with less anti corrosive properties. When a maximum amount of corrosion resistance is needed pure aluminum is used. It can also be used as a protective coating.

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 alum. Alum is also used to destroy parasites that are source to some fish diseases.

Many electrical wirings used to be made of aluminum. Although copper is safer it is much more expensive. Aluminum 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 aluminum in many areas.

Aluminum in its powdered form is very often used in paint, and a silvering agent in paint and mirrors. Aluminum when used in wood primer makes it water resistant. In mirrors, aluminum is pasted behind glass, which is then exposed to oxygen, forming aluminum oxide as the base of the mirror. Silver was used for this purpose earlier and it is the reason why the process is still called silvering.

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, aluminum 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://www.article-voip.com

Harry Browar is the owner and operator of First Alluminum, a fantastic resource for information about alluminum, For more articles on alluminum why not visit: www.firstaluminum.com/articles

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