Applications of Aluminum and Its Alloys in Industry and Everyday Life

The key role of aluminum in the production process.

Aluminum is a light, ductile metal and one of the most common chemical elements found in the Earth's crust. Aluminum is very convenient to use because it has high corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and resistance to sudden temperature changes. When interacting with air, it gains an important advantage: a hard film forms on the metal surface, slowing natural aging. There are several methods for producing aluminum, but this process was successfully established only in the 20th century.

Areas of application of aluminum.

Aluminum is suitable for stamping, has significant corrosion resistance, has high thermal conductivity and is non-toxic in compounds, which is why it has become a popular structural material. The areas of application of aluminum are extremely broad. In particular, it became one of the first materials for manufacturing structures in aircraft construction, rocket engineering, the food industry and cookware production. Thanks to its quality characteristics, aluminum can increase the speed and maneuverability of ships. Moreover, products and structures are 50% lighter than those made of steel.

The electrical conductivity properties of aluminum are also considered separately. Thus, it can rightfully compete with copper. Having almost the same electrical conductivity, it has become an economically advantageous substitute. It is actively used in microelectronics and in the manufacture of microchip components. The only disadvantage of its use in this area is the formation of a dielectric film that can create high temperatures at soldering points. There is a specific condition for using aluminum as a conductor.

Use of aluminum in industrial production and everyday life.

Let us list the main applications of aluminum:

1. Aircraft construction: manufacturing engines, bodies, pumps, gearboxes and other parts.
2. Rocket engineering: as a combustible component of rocket fuel (aluminum hydrides, aluminum boranates, trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, tripropylaluminum).
3. Shipbuilding production: manufacturing deck superstructures and main hulls.
4. Electronics: manufacturing wires with high electrical conductivity and their coatings, cables, capacitors, rectifiers and instrument housings.
5. Defense industry: small arms (assault rifles, pistols), rockets, tanks, aircraft and combat installations.
6. Construction industry: manufacturing house frames, stairs, window frames, finishing elements, and use as a gas-forming element.
7. Rail transportation uses aluminum tanks to transport petroleum products. Frames for railcars, body parts and refrigerated railcars are produced.
8. Automotive engineering: bumpers, radiators and heating components.
9. Use in everyday life: cookware, foil, housings and parts of household appliances (electric-heater coils - fechral).
10. Cryogenic equipment: aluminum retains its properties at low temperatures.
11. Use in the production of hydrogen sulfide (sulfide).
12. Manufacturing mirrors (thanks to a high reflection coefficient) and glassmaking (aluminum fluorides, phosphates and oxides).

In addition, aluminum compounds are used to recover rare metals, as a component of aluminothermic mixtures and protectors, and also in pyrotechnics. Despite its many advantages, there is one drawback - relatively low strength. To make it stronger, production uses a strong aluminum alloy - duralumin (combined with copper and magnesium). In the past, aluminum was often used to make jewelry; in some countries it replaces silver ornaments.