Aluminum is a lightweight metal and because of this property is used for many purposes. It is soft and pliable with a dull silvery look. It maintains this look because of a thin layer of oxidation on its surface. This oxidation means that it is corrosion resistant and can be used to protect many surfaces. When polished it has a higher reflective property than most metals with the exception of silver, gold and copper. Added to all these properties, it is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Aluminum is obtained by extraction from bauxite ore by electrolytic process. One of the many uses of alluminum 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 alluminum is placed in front of the glass for added reflection and magnification. Nowadays, alluminum 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. Alluminum alloys are stronger than the pure metal but with less anticorrosive properties. When a maximum amount of corrosion resistence is needed pure alluminum 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 allum. Allum is also used to destroy parasites that are source to some fish diseases. Most electrical wires are made of aluminum, as it is very cost effective. Even though copper is a safer metal, people opt for aluminum to save money. Since aluminum is a very good conductor of heat and electricity, people do not find aluminum a safe metal for electrical purposes in many countries, due to the risk of over heating. Powdered alluminum is used in paint. It is especially useful for wood primer as when dry it acts as a water resistent barrier. Alluminum is also used as a silvering agent in paint. It is used as silvering on mirrors. The glass is placed in a heated chamber with alluminum and then exposed to oxygen. This forms a thin tough layer of alluminum oxyide as backing for the mirror. Originally silver was used for this pupose instead of alluminum, which is 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. Aluminum as mentioned earlier is one of the most versatile metals ever. The Chinese first started its use around 300 AD. Greeks and Romans also used it for dying purposes.
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Aluminum is a lightweight metal and because of this property is used for many purposes. It is soft and pliable with a dull silvery look. It maintains this look because of a thin layer of oxidation on its surface. This oxidation means that it is corrosion resistant and can be used to protect many surfaces. When polished it has a higher reflective property than most metals with the exception of silver, gold and copper. Added to all these properties, it is a good conductor of heat and electricity. ...
Harry Browar is the owner of First Alluminum, the #1 source on the internet for information about alluminum, For more articles on alluminum visit: http://www.firstaluminum.com/articles You can get a unique content version of this article.
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