Aluminum

Aluminum (or aluminium) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a silvery-white, soft, nonmagnetic, and ductile metal in the boron group. By mass, aluminum makes up about 8% of the Earth's crust; it is the third most abundant element after oxygen and silicon and the most abundant metal in the crust, though it is less common in the mantle below.

Properties

Aluminum is remarkable for its low density and its ability to resist corrosion through the phenomenon of passivation. Structural components made from aluminum and its alloys are vital to the aerospace industry and are important in other areas of transportation and structural materials.

History

Aluminum was first isolated by Hans Christian Ørsted in 1825. Initially, it was considered more precious than gold, and it was exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 1855. The development of the Hall-Héroult process for inexpensive mass production of aluminum led to its extensive use in industry and everyday life.

Production and Refinement

The primary production of aluminum involves the Bayer process for refining bauxite to produce alumina (aluminum oxide), and then using the Hall-Héroult process to reduce the alumina to metallic aluminum. Large amounts of electricity are required for this process, making the production of aluminum highly energy-intensive.

Applications

Aluminum is used in a wide range of applications from aircraft structures, automobiles, and packaging materials like cans and foil, to construction materials such as window frames and doors. Its compounds are also used in products like deodorants and antacids.

Environmental Impact

While aluminum is recyclable and non-toxic, the production process can have significant environmental impacts, including large energy consumption and the generation of red mud, a waste product that can be difficult to manage.

Recycling

Recycling of aluminum is a key component of sustainable management of the metal. Recycling saves around 95% of the energy required to produce aluminum from raw materials and reduces the environmental footprint of the metal.

See also

• List of countries by aluminum production
• Aluminum alloy
• Aluminum recycling

Categories

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