Advantages of aluminium as a material
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The technology of today uses a variety of different materials with numerous applications. In order to meet a number of requirements set by the technologies aiming to improve life and the quality of life, substantial investments are being made within the industry in terms of material research and development.
The need for quality and specific properties of different materials is essential in civil engineering and allied industries with high standard requirements for each material used in designing and constructing of the building. The material must meet the specific standards, and its finishing must meet project requirements.
In addition to material quality, its aesthetic appeal is also considered, which must be in line with the space in which it is installed, well-presenting the architectural features and the building’s design solutions.
The material which has become extremely important in modern construction is the very aluminium. Its scope of application is very wide and, besides being used in a variety of different structures, it occupies the most important place in the joinery industry, including aluminium shutter production, due to its property as a reliable material.
Aluminium is becoming increasingly popular for engineering applications. There are many reasons for this that are outlined in the following sections.
Aluminium is the engineering material of choice for many applications. Properties that make aluminium popular and/or suitable include:
Aluminium offers advantages over other engineering materials including:
Aluminium is approximately 1/3 the weight of iron, steel, copper or brass. This is an advantage in some products and crucial in others.
Reduction in shipping and handling costs.
1 cubic mtr aluminium = 2,700kg
1 cubic mtr steel = 7,800kg
By appropriate alloying and treatment, aluminium alloys are available in a variety of strengths.
Some aluminium alloys have strength as high as 300 MPa and are stronger than some steels.
Strength may be selected to match product needs.
In terms of strength to weight ratio, aluminium outperforms other materials. Aluminium’s advantage in this respect founded the modern aerospace industry and serves widely in various forms of transportation and other applications.
Aluminium products behave elastically under static and dynamic loading conditions, that is, they have the ability to resume both shape and size which is good when flexible strength is required.
Mast and spars of racing yachts are designed to withstand the stress of the wind versus the waves.
Brittle fracture problems do not occur with aluminium. As the temperature is reduced, aluminium alloys increase in strength without loss in quality, making them particularly suitable for low temperature applications.
Used for cryogenics, LNG storage tanks and LNG tankers. An aluminium “moon buggy” was used to negotiate the rough terrain in the deep cold of outer space.
When aluminium is exposed to air, a thin oxidised film forms on the surface, protecting the metal from corrosion. When scratched, the layer rapidly reforms retaining the protection. This feature is utilised in construction, buildings and household utensils.
Aluminium itself is non toxic and odourless. Its surface is smooth, easily washable and hygienic because no germs can grow on it. Thus, it is widely used in beverage cans, food packaging, cooking utensils and in the fishing and dairy industries.
Aluminium conducts heat better than any other common metal. It is about three times as thermal conductive as steel. It is important in heat exchange applications - either heating or cooling - and commonly used in the food, chemical, petroleum, aircraft and automotive industries.
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Aluminium is an excellent reflector of radiant energy. It reflects more than 80% of visible light, radiation (heat) and electric waves. The purer the metal, the more so. This feature is used for reflecting mirrors, reflectors (stoves, infra-red dryers, lighting), and wave guides. It is also used as an insulating material in buildings and as roofing sheet.
Aluminium’s ability to conduct electricity is approximately 62% of that of copper, but it weighs less than 1/3. This means that it conducts about twice as much electricity as copper of the same weight.
Aluminium is a very economical material as an electrical conductor and is used in power transmission cables, bases of electric bulbs and in other electric fields.
This property of aluminium makes it particularly useful for a variety of electrical and electronic applications, for high voltage hardware, busbars, magnetic compasses, parabolic antennas, computer disks, etc.
Aluminium’s non sparking characteristic (against itself and other non ferrous metal) makes it an essential material for products used with highly flammable or explosive substances and atmospheres.
* Petrol pump nozzles are made from non sparking aluminium.
Aluminium does not burn and so is widely used in buildings, vehicles and in other applications where fire is a potential hazard. Hazardous emissions are not generated when aluminium is exposed to heat.
The natural metallic surface of aluminium is aesthetically pleasing; the surface supplied is adequate and does not require further finishing. If additional protection is required, the natural oxide film may be thickened by anodising without affecting the metal’s appearance.
A wide range of finishes may be applied to aluminium to enhance its surface characteristics, or alter its appearance. The metallic surface may be coloured by chemical or anodising processes.
Surface textures may be created, varying from rough to matte to mirror smooth. Coatings such as paint, lacquer, enamel, electroplating or laminate may also be applied.
Aluminium extrusions are seamless one-piece products both visually and functionally. There are no mechanically joined seams to mar appearance or to become loose or leak, even in tubes and other hollow shapes.
Aluminium can be easily fabricated into various forms such as foil, sheets, shapes, rods, tubes and wires. It also displays excellent machinability and plasticity in bending, cutting and drawing. Aluminium is considered to be the best material for complex extrusion to tight tolerances.
Aluminium extrusions can be joined to other aluminium products or to different materials by all major methods, including welding, brazing, soldering, bolting, riveting, clinching, crimping, clipping, adhesive bonding and slide-on, snap together or interlocking joints.
Aluminium’s capacity for integral design and production can reduce cost and improve performance and reliability. Extrusion can economically provide product shapes that would be difficult, if not impossible, to produce in any other way.
Aluminium extrusions can be designed for ease of assembly with other parts. The production of large items in the form of dis-assembled kits that require a minimum of manpower and skill to assemble are cost saving.
Aluminium extrusions, of uniform high quality, may be produced in large numbers with minimal rejection rates and little need for corrective fabrication.
The Aluminium industry includes a large “secondary metal” sector which accepts scrapped aluminium products for remelting and recovery of metal. Recycling aluminium requires only 5%of the energy needed to produce new aluminium.
Aluminium extrusions may be recycled and therefore have substantial scrap value.
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