1.
Lightweight The specific gravity of Aluminium is 2.7, about one-third
that of iron (7.9) and copper (8.9).
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This feature is particularly important
in transportation industries: for example, aircraft, automobiles;
trains and ships. It contributes to energy saving in transporting,
increasing loading capacity and speed. Aluminium is used
as a material for high-risk
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2. Excellent
corrosion resistance When Aluminium is exposed to air, a thin
oxidised film forms on the surface protecting the metal from
corrosion. Anodising can make corrosion resistance even more
effective.
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This feature is utilised in construction,
buildings, and household utensils.
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| 3. Easy
to work Aluminium can be easily fabricated into various forms
such as foil, sheets, shapes, rods, tubes, and wires. It also
displays excellent machinability and plasticity in bending, cutting,
and drawing. |
Aluminium is considered to be
the best material for complex-sectioned hollow extrusion.
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| 4. Non-toxic
Aluminium itself is non-toxic and odourless. Its surface is smooth,
easily washable, and hygienic because no germs can grow on it. |
Due to these features, it is widely
used in beverage cans, food packaging, cooking utensils,
and in the fishery and dairy industries.
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5. Strong
at low temperatures Although steel becomes brittle at low temperatures,
Aluminium increases in tensile strength and retains excellent
quality.
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Aluminium can be used in extreme
environments
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6. Strong
The tensile strength of pure Aluminium is not high, but depending
upon the alloy or temper, a strength of up to 60 kg/mm2 can be
reached.
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You can
choose the alloy with the most suitable strength characteristics
you need according to your application. Some alloys are stronger
than ordinary steel or even equal to special steel in tensile
strength.
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7. Easy
surface treatment Aluminium can be easily chemically and electrochemically
surface treated or painted.
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Above all,
anodising treatment and dyeing can bring about excellent corrosion
resistance and a wide range of colour variations. Thus Aluminium
is widely used for interior and exterior products of buildings
household utensils and electrical appliances.
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8. Good
electric conductor The electrical conductivity of Aluminium is
approximately 60% that of copper. However, Aluminium weighs about
one-third as much as copper
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Aluminium
is a very economical material as an electric conductor and
is widely utilised in power-transmission cables, bases of electric
bulbs, and in other electric fields.
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9. Good
heat conductor Aluminium is about three times as thermal-conductive
as steel.
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It is used
for cooking utensils, air-conditioners, industrial heat exchangers,
and automobile engine parts. It is also being used in energy
saving equipment such as solar collectors.
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| 10. Non
magnetic Aluminium is not magnetic |
It is used
in marine magnetic-compasses, parabolic antennas, computer
disks, etc.
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| 11. High
reflectivity Aluminium is highly reflective of light, heat, and
electric waves. The purer the metal, the more so. |
This feature
is utilised for reflecting mirrors, reflectors (stoves, infrared
dryers, lighting equipment), and wave guides. It is also used
as an insulating material in buildings.
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12. Recyclable Easy
to recycle - Due to a low melting temperature, it is economically
recyclable, requiring only about 1/28 the energy required for
smelting. Sound-absorbing - Shock-absorbing -
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It is an
ideal material in this age of energy and resource saving. It
can be used for ceilings. Because of low modulus of elasticity,
it is used for automobile bumpers and the like.
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