The origins of aluminum, aluminum characteristics and aluminum history

Origins of Aluminum

 Compared to other metals like copper, bronze, iron and steel, which have been in use for thousands of years, aluminum is relatively young, having been identified as an elemental metal in 1807. Aluminum was first refined in 1825, and at that time it was considered a luxurious metal which was more expensive than gold. It was not until the late 1880s, with the invention of the smelting process by Hall and Héroult and the development of commercial production, that the silvery metal became affordable for everyday purposes. The initial working processes consisted of rolling, casting, and forging.

Aluminum

The name aluminum is derived from the ancient name for alum (potassium aluminum sulphate), which was alumen (Latin, meaning bitter salt). Aluminum was the original name given to the element by Humphry Davy but others called it aluminum and that became the accepted name in Europe. However, in the USA the preferred name was aluminum and when the American Chemical Society debated on the issue, in 1925, it decided to stick with aluminum.

 Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal. It has a dull silvery appearance, because of a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. Aluminum is nontoxic (as the metal) nonmagnetic and non-sparking.

 Aluminum has only one naturally occurring isotope, aluminium-27, which is not radioactive.

Aluminum Characteristics

Aluminum is a lightweight, highly conductive, reflective and non-toxic metal that can be easily machined. The metal's durability and numerous advantageous properties makes it an ideal material for many industrial applications. Aluminum is also very helpful when you have an aluminum barbeque and it is left out in the rain, because aluminum doesn't rust. it is also a very hard and light element and that’s why cars are made from it, and also because it absorbs impact shock for when you are in car accidents, this is why you should buy it, so if you get in a car accident the aluminum will absorb most the impact and you will be safe

Aluminum history
Aluminum compounds were used by ancient Egyptians as dyes, cosmetics and medicines, but it was not until 5000 years later that humans discovered how to smelt pure metallic aluminum. Not surprisingly, the development of methods to produce aluminum metal coincided with the advent of electricity in the 19th century, as aluminum smelting requires significant amounts of electricity.

A major breakthrough in aluminum production came in 1886 when Charles Martin Hall discovered that aluminum could be produced using electrolytic reduction. Until that time, aluminum had been more rare and more expensive than gold. However, within two years of Hall's discovery, aluminum companies were being established in Europe and America.

During the 20th century, aluminum demand grew substantially, particularly in the transportation and packaging industries. Although production techniques have not changed substantially, they have become notably more efficient. Over the past 100 years, the amount of energy consumed to produce one unit of aluminum has decreased 70%.

China aluminum profile, china aluminum extrusion, china extruded aluminium profiles from Foshan Honstar Aluminum Products Co., Ltd