PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM
PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM:
Light Weight:
Aluminium is a very light metal with a specific weight of 2.7 g/cm3 about a 1/3rd of that of steel. For example the use aluminium in vehicles reduces dead weight and energy consumption while increasing load capacity. Its strength can be adapted to the application required by modifying the composition of its alloys.
Corrosive Resistance:
Aluminium is naturally generates a protective oxide coating and highly corrosion resistant. Different types of surface treatment such as anodizing, painting or lacquering can further improve this property. It is particularly useful for applications where protection and conservation are required.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity:
Aluminium is an excellent heat and electricity conductor and relation to its weight is almost twice as good as a conductor as copper. This has made aluminium the most commonly used material in major power transmission lines.
Reflectivity:
Aluminium is a good reflector of visible light as well as heat and together with its low weight makes it an ideal material for reflector in, for example light fitting or rescue blankets.
Ductility:
Aluminium is ductile and has a low melting point and density. In a molten condition it can be produced in number of ways. Its ductility allows products of aluminium to be basically formed close to the end of the product’s design.
ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINUM:
The properties of aluminum make it one of the most advantageous and versatile materials in use today. Aluminum is:
• Lightweight: Aluminum and its alloys weigh only about one-third as much as equal volumes of iron, steel or copper.
• Strong: Given appropriate temperatures, some aluminum alloys equal or surpass the strength of some steels. Strong aluminum alloys can be as much as two or three times stronger than steel for the same weight.
• Cryo-tolerant: In contrast to steel, titanium and many other materials that become brittle at very low (cryogenic) temperatures, aluminum remains ductile and even gains strength as temperature is reduced. This property makes aluminum highly useful in very cold climates and for transporting extremely cold materials such as liquefied natural gas (-260°F [-162°C]).
• Ductile and workable: Aluminum alloys can be readily formed and fabricated by all standard metalworking methods.
• Joinable: Aluminum alloys can be joined by all appropriate major methods, including welding, mechanical connections, and adhesive bonding.
• Reflective: Aluminum alloys with standard commercial finishes typically reflect more than 80 percent of visible light and more than 90 percent of infrared radiation, making aluminum an effective reflector of, or shield against, light, radio waves and radiant heat.
• Heat-conducting: Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor suitable for cooking ware and for heat exchangers; it is more efficient, pound for pound, than copper.
• Electrical conductivity: Aluminum is also an excellent conductor of electricity, commonly used in such heavy-duty applications as high-voltage transmission lines, bus bars and local and building distribution systems.
• Corrosion resistant: Aluminum, exposed to air, forms a transparent natural oxide film which seals its surface against further reactions and protects it from corrosion from normal weather exposure. Specific aluminum alloys, treatments and/or coatings may be selected to maximize corrosion resistance in particular applications.
• Non-toxic: Rolled aluminum alloys are nontoxic, easily cleaned, and non-absorbent. For these reasons, they are widely used in food preparation and packaging.
• Non-combustible: Rolled aluminum does not burn, and it generates no hazardous emissions when exposed to heat. It is safer than many other materials where fire is a potential hazard.
• Re-cyclable: Aluminum resistance to corrosion and to reaction with most common materials keeps it in good condition throughout the lifetime of most products. Scrap aluminum is widely recycled, reducing demands for waste disposal and the environmental impacts of new material production.
Properties of aluminium favourable for casting applications
Low melting point
Good fluidity of most of the alloys;
Capability to control grain structure;
Good surface finish;
Low solubility of gases (except Hydrogen);
Ability to be strengthened by heat treatment (precipitation hardening).
Disadvantages of aluminium castings:
High shrinkage (4-8%) and susceptibility to shrinkage defects (shrinkage porosity);
High hydrogen solubility;
Susceptibility to hot cracking;
Low ductility.
Light Weight:
Aluminium is a very light metal with a specific weight of 2.7 g/cm3 about a 1/3rd of that of steel. For example the use aluminium in vehicles reduces dead weight and energy consumption while increasing load capacity. Its strength can be adapted to the application required by modifying the composition of its alloys.
Corrosive Resistance:
Aluminium is naturally generates a protective oxide coating and highly corrosion resistant. Different types of surface treatment such as anodizing, painting or lacquering can further improve this property. It is particularly useful for applications where protection and conservation are required.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity:
Aluminium is an excellent heat and electricity conductor and relation to its weight is almost twice as good as a conductor as copper. This has made aluminium the most commonly used material in major power transmission lines.
Reflectivity:
Aluminium is a good reflector of visible light as well as heat and together with its low weight makes it an ideal material for reflector in, for example light fitting or rescue blankets.
Ductility:
Aluminium is ductile and has a low melting point and density. In a molten condition it can be produced in number of ways. Its ductility allows products of aluminium to be basically formed close to the end of the product’s design.
ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINUM:
The properties of aluminum make it one of the most advantageous and versatile materials in use today. Aluminum is:
• Lightweight: Aluminum and its alloys weigh only about one-third as much as equal volumes of iron, steel or copper.
• Strong: Given appropriate temperatures, some aluminum alloys equal or surpass the strength of some steels. Strong aluminum alloys can be as much as two or three times stronger than steel for the same weight.
• Cryo-tolerant: In contrast to steel, titanium and many other materials that become brittle at very low (cryogenic) temperatures, aluminum remains ductile and even gains strength as temperature is reduced. This property makes aluminum highly useful in very cold climates and for transporting extremely cold materials such as liquefied natural gas (-260°F [-162°C]).
• Ductile and workable: Aluminum alloys can be readily formed and fabricated by all standard metalworking methods.
• Joinable: Aluminum alloys can be joined by all appropriate major methods, including welding, mechanical connections, and adhesive bonding.
• Reflective: Aluminum alloys with standard commercial finishes typically reflect more than 80 percent of visible light and more than 90 percent of infrared radiation, making aluminum an effective reflector of, or shield against, light, radio waves and radiant heat.
• Heat-conducting: Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor suitable for cooking ware and for heat exchangers; it is more efficient, pound for pound, than copper.
• Electrical conductivity: Aluminum is also an excellent conductor of electricity, commonly used in such heavy-duty applications as high-voltage transmission lines, bus bars and local and building distribution systems.
• Corrosion resistant: Aluminum, exposed to air, forms a transparent natural oxide film which seals its surface against further reactions and protects it from corrosion from normal weather exposure. Specific aluminum alloys, treatments and/or coatings may be selected to maximize corrosion resistance in particular applications.
• Non-toxic: Rolled aluminum alloys are nontoxic, easily cleaned, and non-absorbent. For these reasons, they are widely used in food preparation and packaging.
• Non-combustible: Rolled aluminum does not burn, and it generates no hazardous emissions when exposed to heat. It is safer than many other materials where fire is a potential hazard.
• Re-cyclable: Aluminum resistance to corrosion and to reaction with most common materials keeps it in good condition throughout the lifetime of most products. Scrap aluminum is widely recycled, reducing demands for waste disposal and the environmental impacts of new material production.
Properties of aluminium favourable for casting applications
Low melting point
Good fluidity of most of the alloys;
Capability to control grain structure;
Good surface finish;
Low solubility of gases (except Hydrogen);
Ability to be strengthened by heat treatment (precipitation hardening).
Disadvantages of aluminium castings:
High shrinkage (4-8%) and susceptibility to shrinkage defects (shrinkage porosity);
High hydrogen solubility;
Susceptibility to hot cracking;
Low ductility.
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