Product Review: Characteristics of aluminum and aluminum alloys

Today we summer 8 characteristics of the aluminum alloys.

The alloy based on aluminum with a certain amount of other alloying elements added is one of the light metal materials. In addition to the general properties of aluminum, aluminum alloys have some specific properties of alloys due to the different types and quantities of alloying elements added.

It has good casting properties and plastic processing properties, good electrical and thermal conductivity, good corrosion resistance and weldability, and can be used as a structural material. It is widely used in aerospace, aviation, transportation, construction, electromechanical, light chemicals and daily necessities.

#1: Low density

The density of aluminum is about 2.7g/cm3, which is the second lightest metal in metal structural materials, only higher than magnesium, and only 1/3 of iron or copper.

#2:High plasticity

Aluminum and its alloys have good ductility and can be made into various types, plates, foils, tubes and wires through pressure processing methods such as extrusion, rolling or drawing.

#3: Easy to strengthen

Pure aluminum is not strong, but it can be easily strengthened through alloying and heat treatment to make high-strength aluminum alloys, and its strength can be comparable to that of alloy steel.

#4:  Good electrical conductivity

The electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of aluminum are second only to silver, gold and copper. If the relative conductivity of copper is 100, then aluminum is 64 and iron is only 16. If calculated according to the conductivity of metals of equal mass, aluminum is almost twice that of copper.

 #5:  Corrosion resistance

Aluminum and oxygen have extremely high affinity. Under natural conditions, protective oxides will be generated on the surface of aluminum, which has much better corrosion resistance than steel.

#6:  Easy to recycle

The melting temperature of aluminum is low, about 660°С. Waste is easy to regenerate, and the recycling rate is extremely high. The energy consumption of recycling is only 3% of smelting.

#7:  Weldable

Aluminum alloys can be welded by inert gas protection method. After welding, they have good mechanical properties, good corrosion resistance, beautiful appearance, and meet the requirements of structural materials.

#8: Easy surface treatment 

Aluminum can be treated by anodizing and coloring. After treatment, it has high hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and good electrical insulation. Through chemical pretreatment, it can also be electroplated, electrophoresed, sprayed, etc. to further improve the decorative and protective properties of aluminum.

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