Aluminum is a silvery-white, lightweight and ductile metal that is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It has a low density and high strength-to-weight ratio, making it a popular choice for a wide range of applications, from transportation and construction to packaging and electronics. Aluminum is also highly resistant to corrosion, thanks to the thin layer of oxide that forms on its surface when exposed to air, which makes it an ideal material for outdoor use. Aluminum is extracted from bauxite, a reddish-brown rock that contains a mixture of aluminum oxide and other minerals. The process involves crushing and grinding the bauxite into a fine powder, then adding sodium hydroxide and heating it in a pressure vessel to dissolve the aluminum oxide. The resulting solution is then cooled and filtered to remove impurities, and the aluminum oxide is precipitated out using carbon dioxide. The aluminum oxide is then melted in a furnace and electrolyzed to produce pure aluminum. Aluminum is used in a wide range of applications, including aircraft and automobile manufacturing, building construction, electrical transmission lines, and food packaging. It is also used in the production of various consumer goods, such as cans, foil, and kitchen utensils. Aluminum is highly recyclable, and recycling it saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminum from raw materials.
lightweight, corrosion-resistant, bauxite, electrolysis, recyclable
We have 216.545 Topics and 472.615 Entries and Aluminum has 1 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Aluminum today.