OCCURENCE

Aluminum, after oxygen and silicon, is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust. This means that aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust.

Aluminum cannot be found in its natural state as it has a great affinity for oxygen. That's why aluminum is found in nature in the form of oxides of aluminum. The main aluminum ores are feldspar (K2Al2Si6016), kaolinite (Al2Si207 • 2H20), corundum (A1203), cryolite (Na3AlF6) and bauxite (A1203 • 2H20) (Figure 2).

USES

Aluminum is used as the main element of light alloys with high electrical conductivity, durability, and high resistance to corrosion, such as duralumin (Al, Mg, Cu, Mn), magnalium (Mg, Al) and aluminum bronze (Al, Cu). These alloys are used in the manufacture of planes, ships, engines, submarines and automobiles, and also play important roles in aerospace technology.

Aluminum is used at home because of its low cost, appearance, lightness and good conductivity of heat and electricity. Aluminum is also used for packaging foods.

Since aluminum is a light metal with high electrical conductivity, it is preferred over copper for high voltage electrical lines.

Aluminum powders are used in camera flashes and in the dye industry. Since these powders can be easily burnt in air causing an explosion, they are used in the aluminothermic process and in the production of thermite for napalm bombs.

Copper

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