Introduction
Since aluminum has very abundant reserves and many excellent properties, it is widely used in industry and life. Below we will briefly introduce the applications of aluminum based on its properties.
A. Low density
The density of aluminum alloy power cable is 2.7g/cm³ (one-third of the density of iron and copper). It has good ductility and its conductivity is two-thirds of copper wire, but its quality is only one-third and its price is relatively low. It is cheaper and widely used in the manufacturing of high-voltage wires, cables, and radio industries. The density of pure aluminum is relatively low, but the density and hardness of aluminum alloys have been greatly improved. At present, aluminum alloys have been widely used in manufacturing industries such as aircraft, automobiles, trains, and ships. In addition, space rockets, space shuttles, and artificial satellites also use a large amount of aluminum and its aluminum alloys.
B. Heat conductor
Aluminum is a good conductor of heat (thermal conductivity is 3 times greater than iron). Aluminum can be used in industry to manufacture various heat exchangers, heat dissipation materials, cookware, etc.
C. Ductility
Aluminum has good ductility (second only to gold and silver) and can be made into aluminum foil thinner than 0.01 mm at 100 ℃ ~ 150 ℃. These aluminum foils are widely used to package cigarettes, candies, etc., and can also be made into aluminum wires, aluminum strips, and can be rolled into various aluminum products.
D. Corrosion resistance
In the air, the surface of aluminum will form a dense oxide protective film, making it resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is often used to manufacture medical equipment, chemical reactors, refrigeration equipment, petroleum refining equipment, oil and natural gas pipelines, etc.
E. Catalyst
Thermite is commonly used for melting refractory metals and welding rails. Aluminum is also used as a deoxidizer in the steelmaking process. Aluminum powder, graphite, titanium dioxide (or other high-melting-point metal oxides) are evenly mixed at a certain ratio, then coated on the metal and calcined at high temperatures to make high-temperature resistant cermets, which have important applications in rocket and missile technology.
F. Burn
Aluminum can emit a large amount of heat and dazzling light when burned in oxygen, and is often used to make explosive mixtures, such as ammonium-aluminum explosives (mixed from aluminum powder, ammonium nitrate, charcoal powder, soot and other flammable organic matter), combustion mixtures (For example, bombs and shells made of thermite can be used to attack targets that are difficult to catch fire or tanks, artillery, etc.) and lighting mixtures (such as containing 28% aluminum powder, 68% barium nitrate and 4% shellac).
G. Decorative
Aluminum powder has a silvery white luster (generally the color of metal in powder form is mostly black) and is often used as coatings, commonly known as silver powder and silver paint, to protect iron products from corrosion and make them beautiful.
H. Low temperature resistance
It is resistant to low temperatures. When the temperature of aluminum is low, its strength increases without being brittle. Therefore, it is an ideal material for low-temperature devices, such as refrigerators, freezers, Antarctic snow vehicles, and hydrogen oxide production devices.
I. Reflectivity
Aluminum plates also reflect light very well, reflecting UV rays better than silver. The purer the aluminum, the better its reflective ability. Therefore, it is often used to make high-quality reflectors, such as solar cooker reflectors.
J. Additives
Some food additives also contain metallic aluminum such as alum, leavening agents, leavening agents, etc., which are also used in some fried dough sticks, steamed buns, twists, vermicelli and some puffed foods (such as potato chips).
K. Sound absorption effect
Aluminum has sound-absorbing properties and good acoustic effects, so aluminum is also used in ceilings in broadcast rooms and modern large-scale buildings. Many doors and windows in homes use aluminum alloy frames for this reason.