By Taha KhanReviewed by Lexie CornerJun 4 2002Aluminum is a versatile metal widely used as an alternative to traditional metals due to its attractive properties and unique characteristics.
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Article updated on 25th July 2024
While pure aluminum is not as strong as steel, it can be shaped, formed, and strengthened through processing techniques and alloying. Its excellent electrical conductivity makes it useful in electronics.
This article explores the advantages and properties that make aluminum a desirable material.
Properties of Aluminum
Aluminum is known for its lightweight nature, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and reflectivity.1
Lightweight and Strength
Aluminum is distinguished by its lightweight and strength. With a specific weight of 2.7 g/cm³, it is about one-third the weight of steel, making it valuable in various industrial sectors.2
Aluminum alloys are used in the automobile industry to reduce weight and energy consumption and in aircraft manufacturing to create strong yet lightweight airframes, maximizing flight range and fuel economy.3, 4
The key advantage of aluminum is its ability to provide lightweight properties without sacrificing strength, especially when alloyed with other elements. Its strength can be adapted according to the required application by modifying the composition of its alloys.
For instance, adding copper or magnesium to aluminum can significantly enhance its strength and durability, making it suitable for applications like building construction and structural components.3, 4
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum forms a thin layer of aluminum oxide on its surface when exposed to air, acting as a protective barrier against further corrosion. This property makes aluminum superior to iron in corrosion resistance, ideal for application in harsh environments like marine structures exposed to saltwater.4, 5
Surface treatments such as anodizing, painting, or lacquering can further enhance aluminum's corrosion resistance, providing additional protection against weathering and environmental factors.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity
Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, twice as conductive as copper by weight. This makes it a prime choice for applications where both weight and electrical conductivity are crucial, such as power transmission lines, where its lighter weight reduces the load on supporting structures.
Aluminum's thermal conductivity is also utilized in heat sinks, which dissipate heat from electronic components, preventing overheating and ensuring the longevity of devices.4, 6, 7
Reflectivity
Aluminum's ability to reflect visible light and heat radiation makes it valuable for various applications. Aluminum surfaces can efficiently reflect light, making it suitable for lighting fixtures where reflectors enhance lighting performance.
Reflective aluminum coatings are also used in energy-efficient cool roofs to reflect sunlight and heat away from buildings, reducing air conditioning needs and lowering energy consumption.4, 8
Recent Innovations
3D Printing and Nanotechnology Enhancing Aluminum Microstructures
In a 2020 study, researchers used LaB6 nanoparticles to improve microstructure control in 3D-printed aluminum alloys using Selective Laser Melting (SLM). They developed a process to uniformly distribute LaB6 nanoparticles in AlSi10Mg powder, resulting in a homogenous, fine-grained, and crack-free microstructure.
The LaB6 nanoparticles promoted grain refinement due to their good crystallographic atomic matching with aluminum, which enhanced nucleation. This refined microstructure enhanced the near-isotropic mechanical properties, including better plasticity, of the 3D-printed aluminum alloy.9
Sustainability Through Aluminum Recycling
A 2022 study demonstrated advancements in the sustainable recycling of aluminum, particularly aircraft aluminum alloys. By utilizing scrap aircraft aluminum alloys, they successfully produced high-quality 7075 aluminum alloy ingots through melting, composition adjustment, refining, and casting.
The recycled aluminum met stringent composition and cleanliness standards and was further processed into various profiles through extrusion and heat treatments.10 The mechanical properties of these recycled profiles surpassed industry requirements, showcasing excellent tensile strength and corrosion resistance.
This sustainable method not only maximizes the recovery value of aluminum but also supports environmental sustainability by reducing new raw materials' requirements and minimizing waste.10
Future Outlooks
Aluminum's versatility, lightweight nature, strength, corrosion resistance, electrical and thermal conductivity, and reflectivity make it indispensable across various industries.
Advancements in 3D printing and nanotechnology are expected to produce aluminum alloys with enhanced mechanical properties. Developments in aluminum recycling promote sustainability, reducing raw material requirements and waste.10
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Reference and Further Reading
- Sverdlin, A. (2018). Properties of pure aluminum. Encyclopedia of Aluminum and Its Alloys, Two-Volume Set. CRC Press. eBook ISBN9781351045636: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781351045636-140000430/properties-pure-aluminum-alexey-sverdlin
- UACJ. (n.d.) Aluminum's Characteristics. [Online] UACJ. Available at: https://www.uacj.co.jp/english/techno/development/feature.htm (Accessed on July 16, 2024)
- Stojanovic, B., Bukvic, М., Epler, I. (2018). Application of aluminum and aluminum alloys in engineering. Applied Engineering Letters: Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. doi.org/10.18485/aeletters.2018.3.2.2
- AALCO (2019). Introduction to Aluminium and its alloys. [Online] AALCO. Available at: https://www.aalco.co.uk/datasheets/Aluminium-Alloy_Introduction-to-Aluminium-and-its-alloys_9.ashx (Accessed on July 16, 2024)
- Berlanga-Labari, C., Biezma-Moraleda, MV., Rivero, PJ. (2020). Corrosion of cast aluminum alloys: a review. Metals. doi.org/10.3390/met10101384
- Wilson Power Solutions. (n.d.). Aluminium v Copper. [Online] Wilson Power Solutions. Available at: https://www.wilsonpowersolutions.co.uk/app/uploads/WPS_Aluminium-v-Copper_white-paper_-2021.pdf (Accessed on July 16, 2024)
- Bayomy, AM., Saghir, Z. (2020). Thermal performance of finned aluminum heat sink filled with ERG aluminum foam: Experimental and numerical approach. International Journal of Energy Research. doi.org/10.1002/er.5217
- Kolås, T., Røyset, A., Grandcolas, M., ten Cate, M., Lacau, A. (2019). Cool coatings with high near infrared transmittance for coil coated aluminium. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2019.03.021
- Tan, Q., et al. (2020). A novel method to 3D-print fine-grained AlSi10Mg alloy with isotropic properties via inoculation with LaB6 nanoparticles. Additive Manufacturing. doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2019.101034
- Lin, R., Liu, B., Zhang, J., Zhang, S. (2022). Microstructure evolution and properties of 7075 aluminum alloy recycled from scrap aircraft aluminum alloys. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.05.011
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