Aluminum is not only among the most abundant elements on the earth’s crust but also, it has marvellous utilities thanks to its properties.
Let’s explore these properties:
- Solid, nonmagnetic, non-lustrous, silvery-white with slight bluish tint.
- Aluminum has a face-centered cubic structure that is stable up to melting point.
- Aluminum surfaces can be highly reflective.
- Commercially pure aluminum is soft. It is strengthened when alloyed and tempered.
- High ductility. Aluminum can be beaten very thin.
- When aluminum is in a powdered form it will catch fire easily if exposed to flame.
- Aluminum reacts quickly with hot water.
- Aluminum reacts with hot acids.
- Aluminum is corrosive resistant due to a self-protecting oxide layer.
- Aluminum has a low density, measured by gravity in comparison to water, of 2.70. Compare this to the density of iron/steel which has a density of 7.87.
- Commercially pure aluminum has a melting point of approximately 1220°F and a boiling point of approximately 4,478°F. These change once aluminum is alloyed.
These properties make this metal invaluable for industrial purposes. Furthermore, numerous mining companies are increasingly focusing on recycling it to enhance sustainability.
What’s a specific property of aluminum that you find most critical in its applications, or perhaps, most surprising? Share your insights!
