What are the common uses of aluminium?

Aluminium is a chemical element found on the periodic table of elements. It has the symbol Al and an atomic number of 13. Even though it was not discovered until 1825, it is abundant in the earth’s crust and makes up around 8% of the earth’s surface.

There are many reasons why aluminium is considered one of the most versatile and useful metals in the world. Its long list of properties and relative ease to manufacture, just to name a few.

Related Reading: The History of Aluminium: Uses, Properties and Environmental Impact.

Now that we’ve defined aluminium, let’s look at some of its most common uses.

Construction materials

Aluminium has been a vital component in construction since its discovery in the 19th century. Since aluminium is such a flexible, lightweight, and strong metal, it is a perfect choice for a variety of construction projects. It is often used for windows, roofs, doors, and other important structural components. Another reason it is commonly used in construction is because it is corrosion resistant, meaning aluminium components will last longer than other metals.

Electrical components

As mentioned above, aluminium is a great conductor. You’ll find it used frequently within electronic engineering and transmission. Take, for example, power lines – these often use aluminium due to how cost-effective it is as a material. You’ll also find aluminium across a range of electrical products, including wiring, smartphones, gaming consoles, and more. Aluminium has played an important role in the electronics revolution over the past 100 years and will likely play a major role long into the future.

Transportation materials

Aluminium is a common metal within the transportation industry. Because of its lightweight nature and strength, it is often used in vehicles. It makes vehicles easier to drive and leads to more fuel efficiency. It is used in the automotive, aerospace, and aeronautical industries. For more information, we delve deeper into what is driving the use of aluminium in the automotive industry in this blog post.

Household items

It’s likely that you come across aluminium in your daily life much more frequently than you might think. In the modern world, a huge number of household items are made from aluminium. Take, for example, kitchenware – pots, pans, and many utensils are often made from aluminium or have aluminium components. This is due to how well the metal conducts heat. You’ll also find that many electrical appliances are made from aluminium, for example, a toaster or a kettle.

Packaging

If you’ve ever had a canned drink before, then you might understand why aluminium is so often used as packaging. Its lightweight and malleable properties make it a great choice for packaging food, drink, and other products. Aluminium can protect against moisture, oxygen, and light – and can be easily changed into different shapes. Aluminium is also easy to recycle, making it a great choice for companies and consumers who want to lower their carbon footprint.

Medical equipment

The medical field benefits from aluminium too. It is used in the manufacturing of medical equipment and devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, and surgical instruments. Its lightweight nature is especially valuable in the development of portable medical devices and equipment, making them more user-friendly and accessible.

Aluminium has a number of properties that make it such a useful metal. Here are some of its unique properties:

• High strength: Aluminium is a strong metal, especially when alloyed with other elements. It has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, meaning that it works well as a building component.
• Resistance to corrosion: Aluminium naturally forms a thin layer of oxide on its surface. This means that it has a natural barrier that helps to protect it against corrosion.
• Conductivity: If a metal is conductive, that means that it can conduct electricity and heat. Aluminium is a good conductor, making it a valuable material in electrical transmission.
• Weight: Aluminium is one of the most lightweight materials around. This, when combined with the strength we discussed earlier, makes it a great choice for many industries.
• Recyclability: In today’s modern world, the recyclability of a metal is an important property. Aluminium is a recyclable metal as it doesn’t take much energy to complete.