Aluminum - Facts Behind the Metal

A metallic element with symbol Al, aluminum is thethe first stage, different mechanical and chemical
3rd most plentiful element of Earth's crust, behindstages are used to purify the bauxite and
that of oxygen and silicon. The metal has strongrecover the alumina with the help of "Bayer
affinity towards oxygen and hence is not found inProcess".
the elemental form but in combined states, suchOnce the alumina - aluminum oxide trihydrate - is
as silicates or oxides.retrieved, it can be electrolytically reduced
Bauxite is the main mineral ore of aluminum, which(transformed through electrochemical means) into
is abundantly available in tropical areas, such as -metallic aluminum.
Africa, the West Indies, South America andSome Facts -
Australia. Bauxite contains all types of impurities -- Aluminum can be very strong, light (less than 1
mainly metals, such as iron - but comprises of 453rd of the specific gravity of copper, brass or
% to 60 % aluminum oxide, or alumina.steel), ductile, and malleable.
In its metallic form, aluminum metal does not- The metal is an excellent conductor of heat and
occur naturally. It occurs only in combination withelectricity.
other minerals in the form of oxide or silicate- Polished aluminum has the highest reflectivity of
compounds that constitute about 8% of earth'sany material - even mirror glass.
crust.- The metal can be rolled, cast or extruded into
According to estimates, about 29 million tons ofan infinite array of shapes.
aluminum is required to meet the global demand- As a packaging material, aluminum as unique
every year. Of this total 29 million tons of totalbarrier characteristics. It resists corrosion and can
aluminum, around 22 million tons is new aluminumbe recycled again and again, without any loss of
and 7 million tons is obtained by recycling thequality or properties.
aluminum scrap. About 25% of the total amount- The metal can be mixed with small, often
of aluminum used across the world is recycledminute, quantities of other materials, such as -
material.copper, zinc, silicon, iron, magnesium, tin, titanium,
Fact - 50% of the aluminum cans used today inlithium, chromium, tungsten, manganese, nickel,
the US are recycled.and others to create a variety of alloys with very
According to estimates since 1972 around 16different physical characteristics.
million tons of aluminum cans have been recycled.- Aluminum metal is so widely used in todays'
These 785.6 billion aluminum cans if placedmodern world that it is very difficult to imaging a
end-to-end could stretch to the moon more thanworld without it. The amazing, unique properties of
249 times.this fundamental metal give it an extensive array
Production of Aluminumof possible applications, including - transport,
Production of aluminum is a two stage processpackaging, electrical application, medicine, and
that comprises of various intermediate steps. Inconstruction of homes and furniture.