Aluminium is known as "the workhorse of the kitchen" as so many every day products make use of it. In the past lots of pots and pans were made from aluminium, these days stainless steel is more popular, however Stainless Steel is not as effective a conductor of heat, and so even these have a layer of Aluminium sandwiched in the base to assist the heat transfer.
As well as pans, aluminium can be found in drinks cans, foil wrappings, bottle tops and foil containers. Due to its natural corrosion resistance, aluminium packaging is a clean way to contain and protect food, and as it is completely impermeable, it doesn't let any aroma or taste escape. TV aerials, satellite dishes and light bulbs are other common household items which consist of a high proportion of aluminium.
Aluminium oxide (alumina) forms very quickly on any aluminium surface that is exposed to air. This oxide is protective, unlike iron oxide which is highly corrosive and when exposed to water forms rust, and for this reason many items which look like wrought iron, such as garden furniture, are actually made of aluminium.
This corrosion resistance combined with its flexibility makes aluminium the perfect construction material and it is very common in door frames, roofing and guttering. Aluminium is also very thermally efficient, keeping properties clad in the material warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The Versatility of Aluminium
Aluminium is a versatile material and has many uses, however it is not the strongest of metals so it is often alloyed with other metals to increase its strength - in fact most uses of aluminium are in alloy form rather than as a pure metal. The most common alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc.
What makes these alloys special is that they retain the lightweight property of aluminium whilst gaining the extra assets, giving many alloys an excellent strength to weight ratio. This makes them excellent materials for the engineering of structures for example aircraft, where almost 80% of the weight of an unloaded airplane is aluminium.
Adding copper to aluminium increases the hardness and makes it heat treatable, whilst manganese gives it resistance to corrosion, as well as increased strength; the addition of silicon lowers the melting point and improves cast-ability whereas aluminium-zinc alloys have increased strength and hardness.
Aluminium-magnesium alloys have increased tensile strength and the welding process is easier with this alloy than with aluminium in its pure form. Adding magnesium also increases the metal's resistance to marine corrosion, making it an important component in boat and ship building, and other salt-water sensitive applications.
William Rowland Ltd are aluminium suppliers, and if you would like to find out how we can meet your requirements, please contact us using the Quick Enquiry Form on the right-hand side of this website.
