HARROW ALUMINART
Aluminium
Some interesting things about the metal
REFERENCES
A domestic use
of Aluminium
of Aluminium
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TIMELINE
Aluminium is a relatively new metal in the history of man. It was first produced in 1825, in minor quantities by Christian Oerstad in Denmark. As a comparison, Gold was discovered in 6000BC. This is an appoximate time scale.
Aluminium is a relatively new metal in the history of man. It was first produced in 1825, in minor quantities by Christian Oerstad in Denmark. As a comparison, Gold was discovered in 6000BC. This is an appoximate time scale.
HOW DO YOU SPELL IT?
The original accepted official way of spelling was “Aluminium”. This was adopted to conform to the usual “ium” at the end of most chemical element names. However in 1925, the American Chemical Society decided to adopt “Aluminum” as the name, while most of the rest of the world has kept the original spelling. I am going to stick to “Aluminium” only because I am used to it. And besides, it gives me a feeling of power knowing that no-one can say that I am wrong.
The original accepted official way of spelling was “Aluminium”. This was adopted to conform to the usual “ium” at the end of most chemical element names. However in 1925, the American Chemical Society decided to adopt “Aluminum” as the name, while most of the rest of the world has kept the original spelling. I am going to stick to “Aluminium” only because I am used to it. And besides, it gives me a feeling of power knowing that no-one can say that I am wrong.
The statue of Eros in London's Picadilly Circus, cast from Aluminium in 1893
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CORROSION RESISTANCE
When iron oxides, it forms “rust”. Aluminium has a unique property. When it oxidises, it forms a coating of oxide, which is dull grey in colour. As this oxidization progresses it reaches a stage where it effectively coats the surface, and prevents any further oxidising from taking place. So it generates its’ own protective coating.
There is no harm done in polishing your Harrow candle holder or lamp. The oxidation is a very slow process, and your purchase will last for generations.
When iron oxides, it forms “rust”. Aluminium has a unique property. When it oxidises, it forms a coating of oxide, which is dull grey in colour. As this oxidization progresses it reaches a stage where it effectively coats the surface, and prevents any further oxidising from taking place. So it generates its’ own protective coating.
There is no harm done in polishing your Harrow candle holder or lamp. The oxidation is a very slow process, and your purchase will last for generations.
SOME APPLICATIONS
In the home we use aluminium foil in the kitchen, and aluminium cans to drink beer and Coke from. The metal is non-toxic and has no aroma or foreign taste. It is an excellent conductor of heat, so many cooking pots are made from aluminium.
In the building industry, the metal is extremely useful, because of its’ anti-corrosion and other properties. It is used in building structures, windows, and doors.
Aluminium is nearly twice as good as copper, (weight for weight) in conducting electricity, and so it is very commonly used in major power lines.
Once again, because of its’ light weight and relative strength, it is becoming more and more common in motor vehicles. The aerospace industry makes extensive use of aluminium.
Aluminium is an excellent reflector of light, and most modern mirrors are made using a thin coating of aluminium on the back surface of a sheet of float glass. It has a brilliant shine when polished.
In the home we use aluminium foil in the kitchen, and aluminium cans to drink beer and Coke from. The metal is non-toxic and has no aroma or foreign taste. It is an excellent conductor of heat, so many cooking pots are made from aluminium.
In the building industry, the metal is extremely useful, because of its’ anti-corrosion and other properties. It is used in building structures, windows, and doors.
Aluminium is nearly twice as good as copper, (weight for weight) in conducting electricity, and so it is very commonly used in major power lines.
Once again, because of its’ light weight and relative strength, it is becoming more and more common in motor vehicles. The aerospace industry makes extensive use of aluminium.
Aluminium is an excellent reflector of light, and most modern mirrors are made using a thin coating of aluminium on the back surface of a sheet of float glass. It has a brilliant shine when polished.
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
Aluminium is found primarily as the ore Bauxite. Bauxite is a naturally ocurring heterogeneous material composed primarily of aluminium hydroxide minerals.
Aluminium is found primarily as the ore Bauxite. Bauxite is a naturally ocurring heterogeneous material composed primarily of aluminium hydroxide minerals.
GRADES OF ALUMINIUM
There are a number of different grades of the aluminium finished product. Aluminium alloys are classified according to the amounts of other elements that are combined with the aluminium.
The alloys can contain zinc, magnesium, copper, silicon and other materials. The different alloys have different properties relating to strength, formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance. This is important to industry when choosing an alloy for a particular end use.
There are a number of different grades of the aluminium finished product. Aluminium alloys are classified according to the amounts of other elements that are combined with the aluminium.
The alloys can contain zinc, magnesium, copper, silicon and other materials. The different alloys have different properties relating to strength, formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance. This is important to industry when choosing an alloy for a particular end use.
ANODISING
Anodising is an electrolytic process that is used to increase the thickness of the natural surface oxide film on aluminium.
This is the same film or coating that is referred to above, under Corrosion Resistance.
The resultant films are hard, durable and inert. The anodic films are normally between 5 and 25 microns thick depending on the end-use, in particular how aggressive the end-use environment is. Anodic films can also be used as a base for dyes of any colour.
Anodising is an electrolytic process that is used to increase the thickness of the natural surface oxide film on aluminium.
This is the same film or coating that is referred to above, under Corrosion Resistance.
The resultant films are hard, durable and inert. The anodic films are normally between 5 and 25 microns thick depending on the end-use, in particular how aggressive the end-use environment is. Anodic films can also be used as a base for dyes of any colour.
Candle holders and Table lamps crafted from solid aluminium
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The structure of the space shuttle is 90% aluminium
6000BC
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4000BC
3500BC
1500BC
4200BC
4000BC
3500BC
1500BC
Gold
Copper
Silver
Lead
Iron
Copper
Silver
Lead
Iron
It was only as recently as about 90 years ago that Aluminium began to be used in a wider commercial environment. It turned the world of metals upside down, because of its’ light weight and strength. It has an SG of about one-third that of steel.
Aluminium
or
Aluminum?
or
Aluminum?
Bauxite was first discovered in France, and named after the village Les Baux de Provence where it was first discovered in 1821.
The bauxite mines in France are almost completely exhausted of reserves. The major producers today are Guinea, Australia, and Brazil.
The bauxite mines in France are almost completely exhausted of reserves. The major producers today are Guinea, Australia, and Brazil.
The raw material.
Bauxite pebbles from Wikipedia
Bauxite pebbles from Wikipedia
It was only in the 1880's that the first processes were invented, for the extraction of aluminium from bauxite in commercial quantities