One of these following facts about aluminum should probably give you much information about this chemical element. Aluminum is a chemical element in the boron group with symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a silvery white, soft, ductile metal. Aluminum is the third most abundant element, after oxygen and silicon, and the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. It makes up about 8% by weight of the Earth’s solid surface. Aluminium metal is so chemically reactive that native specimens are rare and limited to extreme reducing environments.

Facts about aluminum 1: Ability

Aluminium is remarkable for the metal’s low density and for its ability to resist corrosion due to the phenomenon of passivation. Structural components made from aluminium and its alloys are vital to the aerospace industry and are important in other areas of transportation and structural materials. Check out cnc now machining for aluminum laser cutting services.

Facts about aluminum 2: Prevalence

Despite its prevalence in the environment, no known form of life uses aluminium salts metabolically. In keeping with its pervasiveness, aluminium is well tolerated by plants and animals.

Facts about aluminum 3: Physical Characteristics

Aluminium is a relatively soft, durable, lightweight, ductile and malleable metal with appearance ranging from silvery to dull gray, depending on the surface roughness. It is nonmagnetic and does not easily ignite. A fresh film of aluminium serves as a good reflector (approximately 92%) of visible light and an excellent reflector (as much as 98%) of medium and far infrared radiation.

Facts about aluminum 4: Chemical Characteristics

Corrosion resistance can be excellent due to a thin surface layer of aluminum oxide that forms when the metal is exposed to air, effectively preventing further oxidation. The strongest aluminium alloys are less corrosion resistant due to galvanic reactions with alloyed copper.

Facts about aluminum 5: Production and Refinement

Aluminium forms strong  chemical bonds with oxygen. Compared to most other metals, it is difficult to extract from ore, such as bauxite, due to the high reactivity of aluminium and the high melting point of most of its ores. For example, direct reduction with carbon, as is used to produce iron, is not chemically possible because aluminium is a stronger reducing agent than carbon.

Facts about aluminum 6: History

Ancient Greeks and Romas used aluminium salts as dyeing mordants and as astringents for dressing wounds; alum is still used as a styptic. In 1761, Guyton de Morveau suggested calling the base alum alumine. In 1808, Humphry Davy identified the existence of a metal base of alum, which he at first termed alumium and later aluminum.

Facts about aluminum 7: Effects of Aluminum

The effects of aluminium in antiperspirants have been examined over the course of decades with little evidence of skin irritation.Nonetheless, its occurrence in antiperspirants, dyes (such as aluminium lake), and food additives has caused concern.

Facts about aluminum 8: Alzheimer’s Society

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, the medical and scientific opinion is that studies have not convincingly demonstrated a causal relationship between aluminium and Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, some studies, such as those on the PAQUID cohort, cite aluminium exposure as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Facts about aluminum 9: Acid Solids

Most acid soils are saturated with aluminium rather than hydrogen ions. The acidity of the soil is therefore a result of hydrolysis of aluminium compounds^. This concept of “corrected lime potential” to define the degree of base saturation in soils became the basis for procedures now used in soil testing laboratories to determine the “lime requirement”of soils.

Facts about aluminum 10: Biodegradation

The fungus Geotrichum candidum has been found to consume the aluminium in compact discs. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungus Cladosporium resinae are commonly detected in aircraft engines, and can degrade aluminium in cultures.

Hope you would find those aluminum facts really interesting, useful and helpful for your additional reading.