10 Fascinating Facts About Aluminum

Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements on earth, but it has some really cool properties beyond its abundance. It's no wonder aluminum products have become so popular in recent decades. From the soda can in your fridge to the airplane you flew in, aluminum plays a major role in our lives.

And while you may be familiar with some of its uses, here are 10 fascinating facts about aluminum that neither you nor aluminum suppliers Albuquerque area know about:

1.   A relatively recent metal

Successfully extracted by a famous Danish physicist and chemist - Hans Christian Oersted - in 1825, aluminum has seen commercial use for roughly 150 years, while metals like copper have been around for more than 9,000 years. Compared to other non-ferrous metals, aluminum is considered a newcomer.

2.   Used in fireworks

Aluminum powder is often used in combination with potassium perchlorate to create a dazzling show of sparks and flashes in fireworks, thanks to aluminum's pyrotechnic properties. Also, several explosives use aluminum powder to create a chemical reaction that causes a large explosion.

3.   Used in the production of telescopes

Because of its lightweight and reflectivity (which reflects up to 90% of light), aluminum tubes are used in the production of telescopes. Telescopes reflect light using aluminum-coated mirrors. This makes it possible to view distant galaxies and other stellar objects.

4.   Three-quarters of all aluminum ever made are still in circulation

Aluminum is one of the most recycled metals on earth, and for a good reason! It can be recycled over and over without losing its qualities. It can be melted down and turned into anything from soda cans to aircraft parts. In fact, 75% (three-quarters) of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.

So the next time you throw an aluminum can into the recycling bin, you can rest assured that it will be turned into something new and useful.

5.   Was once more valuable than gold

For decades, aluminum was considered more precious than gold due to its perceived rarity. In fact, Napoleon III (the first President of France) used to serve his most honorable dinner guests with aluminum cutlery and plates. In contrast, the "less honorable" guests were served with gold cutlery and plates.

6.   Doesn't exist freely in nature

Aluminum, after oxygen and silicon, is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust. However, it does not exist freely in nature as those two elements do. Instead, it is found in compounds such as potassium aluminum sulfate and aluminum oxide.

This makes aluminum extraction extremely difficult, and it is only through a complex process of smelting that aluminum can be extracted from these compounds.

7.   Offers unrivaled barrier properties

Even at thicknesses of a few microns, aluminum foil is an incredibly effective barrier against moisture, light, and oxygen. This makes it the ideal material for food packaging and other applications where protection from environmental factors is needed, e.g., in pharmaceutical packaging.

8.   Aluminum can be transparent

ALON, also known as Aluminium Oxynitride, is a transparent ceramic that is composed of aluminum, oxygen and nitrogen. It has excellent optical properties and can be used in applications such as domes, lenses, and devices with display screens, where it provides extremely efficient light transmission.

So yes, transparent aluminum is a real product!

9.   There is an aluminum astronaut on the moon

The "Fallen Astronaut" is a 3.5-inch sculpture made of aluminum that was left on the lunar surface by Apollo 15 astronauts in 1971. It was placed there to commemorate all fallen astronauts, both human and robotic.

10.  Makes great art

Aluminum is one of the most popular metals used in modern art. It is a perfect material for making sculptures due to its strength and malleability. You can find many beautiful aluminum sculptures on display all over the world, from abstract pieces to life-like representations of animals and people.

Conclusion

Now that we've explored some fascinating facts about aluminum, it's clear why this metal has become such an important part of our lives. From its incredible strength and malleability to its use in many everyday items and modern art, aluminum is an amazing material.

So, the next time you see a soda can or come across a shiny piece of pipe from aluminum suppliers Albuquerque area, remember that you're looking at something truly remarkable.

Aluminum is here to stay!