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What is Aluminum?
Aluminum (or aluminium) is found in the Earth’s crust as bauxite ore. After extraction, it has been observed that aluminum has high resistance to oxidation during processing. Aluminum is a silver-colored metal widely used in various sectors such as industry, construction, and food & beverage. It holds great importance in the global economy and is considered strategically valuable for many countries. Its atomic number is 13. Being approximately 2.7 times lighter than other metals and having high strength, infinite recyclability, and eco-friendly properties, aluminum is extensively used in the construction, transportation, and aerospace industries.
Properties of Aluminum
Aluminum is a soft, lightweight metal with a matte, silvery color. This color occurs due to light oxidation when aluminum is exposed to air. Pure aluminum has a tensile strength of about 49 MPa, which can be increased up to 700 MPa through alloying. Its density is 2.7 times lighter than most metals. It can be easily cast, forged, and machined. With surface treatments such as anodizing, powder coating, and wet painting, its protective oxide layer becomes highly durable. Aluminum melts at 660°C and boils at 2519°C.
Its electrical conductivity is 64.94% IACS (pure aluminum at 20°C).
In modern medicine, aluminum is used as a hemostatic and vasoconstrictor.
Discovery of Aluminum
Although Friedrich Wöhler is recognized as the first to isolate aluminum in 1827, Danish physicist and chemist Hans Christian Ørsted was actually the first to discover it in 1825, making significant contributions to the field of chemistry.
In 1825, Ørsted reacted aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) with potassium amalgam, and by heating the resulting aluminum amalgam under reduced pressure, he successfully obtained metallic aluminum.
In 1854, renowned French chemist Henri Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville managed to produce solid aluminum by using sodium instead of the more expensive potassium to extract aluminum from bauxite.
American inventor and chemist Charles Martin Hall discovered an economical electrolytic process for producing aluminum in 1886. The Hall–Héroult process is still the primary method used worldwide to extract aluminum from its ore.
Aluminum Production
The most cost-effective method of obtaining aluminum is through recycling scrap material, which has become one of the most important processes in the aluminum industry today.
Since producing aluminum from bauxite through electrolysis is expensive, it is typically carried out in countries with low electricity costs. Although this method requires a significant amount of electrical energy, the recycling process consumes only 5% of the energy required for primary production.
Applications of Aluminum
Aluminum is commonly used in the cooling industry due to its ability to absorb and dissipate heat quickly.
It is widely used in lighting systems, aluminum heat sinks, kitchenware, and lightweight transportation tools such as airplanes, bicycles, cars, and motorcycles. Its aesthetic appearance and ease of shaping make it a popular choice in the furniture industry as well. Additionally, aluminum plays a significant role in the industrial sector and is frequently encountered in daily life.
Another key application of aluminum is in engine blocks. Pure aluminum (99.7% Al) is used in engine block production through pressure die casting. Compared to copper, its lightness, affordability, and relatively good electrical conductivity (59–60% IACS) make aluminum highly suitable for asynchronous motor manufacturing.