Aluminium

History of Aluminium

The name is derived from the Latin name for alum, 'alumen'
meaning bitter salt.

Aluminium is the most abundant metal and the third most

abundant element in the earth's crust, after oxygen and silicon. It
makes up about 8% by weight of the earths solid surface.
Aluminium is too reactive chemically to occur naturally as the
free metal. Instead, it is found combined in over 270 different
minerals.

Metallic aluminium was first prepared by Hans Oersted, a Danish

chemist, in 1825. He obtained the metal by heating dry
aluminium chloride with potassium metal.
AlCl3 + 3K = Al + 3KCl

General Properties

Lightweight, with a density one third that of steel, 2.700

kg/m3. In terms of strength, Aluminium commonly have
tensile strengths of between 70 and 700 MPa.
Aluminium does not become brittle at low temperatures.
Instead, its strength increases. At high temperatures,
aluminiums strength decreases.
Aluminium is an excellent conductor of heat and
electricity. An aluminium conductor weighs approximately
half as much as a copper conductor having the same
conductivity.
Melting point: 660.323oC
Boiling point: 2519oC,
Density (g cm-3): 2.70

Stress/Strain Curve

This is the stress/strain curve compared to a

standard mild steel.

Grades of Aluminium

Based from Total Materia, Aluminium are divided into multiple

grades:
Aluminium Grades Series 1xxx
excellent corrosion resistance, high thermal and electrical conductivities,
low mechanicalproperties, and excellent workability.

Aluminium Grades Series 2xxx

do not have as good corrosion resistance as most other aluminium
alloys, and under certain conditions they may be subject to corrosion.
But are good for parts requiring good strength at temperatures up to
150C.

Aluminium Grades Series 3xxx

non-heat treatable but have about 20% more strength than 1xxx series
aluminium alloys.

Aluminium Grades Series 4xxx

It has a much lower melting range, where it is used in welding wire and
as brazing alloys for joining aluminium, where a lower melting range
than that of the base metal is required.

Grades of Aluminium
Aluminum

Grades Series 5xxx

The major alloying element is magnesium; when it is used as a major alloying element or
with manganese, the result is a moderate-to-high-strength work-hardenable alloy. It
possesses good welding characteristics and relatively good resistance to corrosion in
marine atmospheres.
Aluminum

Grades Series 6xxx

They are heat treatable. Although not as strong as most 2xxx and 7xxx alloys, 6xxx
series aluminium alloys have good formability, weldability, machinability, and relatively
good corrosion resistance, with medium strength.
Aluminum

Grades Series 7xxx

7xxx series alloys are usually used in airframe structures, mobile equipment, and other
highly stressed parts.
Aluminum

Grades Series 8xxx

Iron and nickel are used to increase strength without significant loss in electrical
conductivity, and so are useful in such conductor alloys 8017. Aluminium-lithium alloy
8090, which has exceptionally high strength and stiffness, was developed for aerospace
applications.

Application
Construction of aircraft, lightweight vehicles
and ladder
Drinks cans and roofing materials
Boiler,cookers and cookware

References
http://aluminium.matter.org.uk/content/ht
ml/eng/default.asp?catid=217&pageid=21444
17131
Total Materia; The worlds most
comprehensive materials database.
Available:
http://www.keytometals.com/KO/page.asp
x?ID=AluminumGrades&LN=EN
Prof. Shakhashiri, Chemical of the Week,
March 2008. Available:
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/PDF
/Aluminum.pdf
http://www.aluminiumdesign.net/why-alumin