The Metal of Choice - Aluminium

Posted in The World Of Metal on 12th December 2011

William Rowland are a leading supplier of Aluminium.

Aluminium is a metal that plays a key role in the fuel, automotive and aerospace industry. It is an extremely lightweight metal, which is ideal for these industries as it ensures that the weight of the vehicle is dramatically reduced. A lighter vehicle results in reduced fuel consumption and reduced fuel emissions, making aluminium the metal of choice. Aluminium is also used in the construction industry; it has corrosive resistance properties that make it idyllic for use in the development of low maintenance buildings.

The food packaging industry also reaps the benefits from the use of aluminium. The metal helps to preserve food quality, aid in customer convenience and helps to reduce waste. Aluminium can be manufactured into a thin, lightweight, versatile foil that minimises heat loss and keeps food as hot as possible, acting as an effective insulator. Aluminium is also useful in the packaging of pharmaceuticals as it helps provide a barrier from UV light and bacteria. This helps prolong the pharmaceuticals shelf life as well as reducing waste.

Aluminium is an extremely sustainable metal and the high-energy costs for its production can be justified by its ability to readily be recycled. The primary aluminium industry is made up of around 20 companies, and they represent around 65% of global aluminium production. Economically the aluminium industry makes a significant impact worldwide, even smaller national economies benefit in as many as thirty different countries.

As a conductor of electricity aluminium has been the metal of choice for high voltage power cabling systems since the end of the Second World War. A kilo of aluminium can conduct about twice the amount of electricity as a kilo of copper. Being more ductile than copper, aluminium is more readily drawn in to wires that can be used by the power grids.

Typically 4-5 tonnes of bauxite needs to be extracted to produce approximately 1 tonne of aluminium. There are numerous bauxite deposits across the globe, and the majority lies in the tropic and sub tropic regions. The extraction process usually proceeds by open cast mining. To compensate for the exceptionally high-energy costs in the production line around 55% of the global aluminium supply is powered using hydroelectric power. This is a renewable power source, which is clean, emission free and environmentally friendly.

William Rowland Ltd are aluminium suppliers and we can supply metals in various forms across the globe, 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.

Tags: Aluminium News, High Purity Metals News, Inoculants News, Metal Powders News