Light weight Aluminium

Aluminium (Al) is a lightweight, silvery-white metal with the atomic number 13. It is one of the most widely used metals in the world.

Why aluminium is important

Very light — roughly one-third the density of steel.

Corrosion resistant — it forms a thin protective oxide layer.

Good conductor of electricity and heat.

Ductile and malleable — can be rolled, drawn and formed easily.

Recyclable — aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without losing its basic properties.

Non-magnetic — useful in electrical and electronic applications.

Aluminium alloys

Pure aluminium is relatively soft, so it is commonly combined with elements such as magnesium, silicon, copper, zinc and manganese.

Some important alloys include:

Alloy family

Important feature

Uses

Al-Mg

Corrosion resistant

Marine structures

Al-Mg-Si

Strong and easily extruded

Buildings, automobiles

Al-Cu

High strength

Aircraft

Al-Zn-Mg

Very high strength

Aerospace

Al-Si

Excellent casting properties

Engine and machine parts

Where we see it

Aircraft • automobiles • trains • ships • electrical cables • buildings • cooking utensils • cans • packaging • bicycles • machinery

One fascinating point for metals series: aluminium is abundant in the Earth's crust, but extracting it from its ore requires considerable energy. This is why aluminium was once considered a precious metal and was more expensive than gold in the 19th century.

So, after tungsten carbide → titanium alloys → aluminium, we are moving from highly specialised materials to one of the most important everyday engineering metals.