As one of the most commonly used and recycled metals in the world, aluminum is an extremely resourceful and versatile metal.
Let's get to know aluminum specifically.
◆ Aluminum is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust after silicon, accounting for about 8% of the earth's crust.
◆ Aluminum has many uses, from food and beverage cans and cell phones to airplanes and cars.
◆ Aluminum is very light, weighing only about one-third as much as steel or copper.
◆ Aluminum is a soft metal that has only been used for 150 years, making it one of the youngest metals. In contrast, copper is more than 9,000 years old.
◆ It was first extracted by Danish chemist Hans Christian Oersted in 1825.
◆ It has a melting point of 660 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 2,519 degrees Celsius.
◆ Aluminum resists corrosion, is very durable, and can be recycled almost indefinitely.
◆ Aluminum is a very reactive element and can react with oxygen. However, instead of rust, the oxidation by-product is a dense film of aluminum oxide that protects its interior from further corrosion.
