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1.
Lightweight The specific gravity of Aluminium is 2.7, about
one-third that of iron (7.9) and copper (8.9).
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This
feature is particularly important in transportation industries:
for example, aircraft, automobiles; trains and ships. It contributes
to energy saving in transporting, increasing loading capacity
and speed. Aluminium is used as a material for high-risk
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2.
Excellent corrosion resistance When Aluminium is exposed to
air, a thin oxidised film forms on the surface protecting
the metal from corrosion. Anodising can make corrosion resistance
even more effective.
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This
feature is utilised in construction, buildings, and household
utensils.
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3.
Easy to work 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.
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Aluminium
is considered to be the best material for complex-sectioned
hollow extrusion.
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4.
Non-toxic Aluminium itself is non-toxic and odourless. Its
surface is smooth, easily washable, and hygienic because no
germs can grow on it.
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Due
to these features, it is widely used in beverage cans, food
packaging, cooking utensils, and in the fishery and dairy
industries.
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5.
Strong at low temperatures Although steel becomes brittle
at low temperatures, Aluminium increases in tensile strength
and retains excellent quality.
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Aluminium
can be used in extreme environments
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6.
Strong The tensile strength of pure Aluminium is not high,
but depending upon the alloy or temper, a strength of up to
60 kg/mm2 can be reached.
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You
can choose the alloy with the most suitable strength characteristics
you need according to your application. Some alloys are stronger
than ordinary steel or even equal to special steel in tensile
strength.
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7.
Easy surface treatment Aluminium can be easily chemically
and electrochemically surface treated or painted.
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Above
all, anodising treatment and dyeing can bring about excellent
corrosion resistance and a wide range of colour variations.
Thus Aluminium is widely used for interior and exterior products
of buildings household utensils and electrical appliances.
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8.
Good electric conductor The electrical conductivity of Aluminium
is approximately 60% that of copper. However, Aluminium weighs
about one-third as much as copper of the same mass.
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Aluminium
is a very economical material as an electric conductor and
is widely utilised in power-transmission cables, bases of
electric bulbs, and in other electric fields.
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9.
Good heat conductor Aluminium is about three times as thermal-conductive
as steel.
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It
is used for cooking utensils, air-conditioners, industrial
heat exchangers, and automobile engine parts. It is also being
used in energy saving equipment such as solar collectors.
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10.
Non magnetic Aluminium
is not magnetic
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It
is used in marine magnetic-compasses, parabolic antennas,
computer disks, etc.
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11.
High reflectivity Aluminium is highly reflective of light,
heat, and electric waves. The purer the metal, the more so.
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This
feature is utilised for reflecting mirrors, reflectors (stoves,
infrared dryers, lighting equipment), and wave guides. It
is also used as an insulating material in buildings.
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12.
Recyclable Easy to recycle - Due to a low melting temperature,
it is economically recyclable, requiring only about 1/28 the
energy required for smelting. Sound-absorbing - Shock-absorbing
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It
is an ideal material in this age of energy and resource saving.
It can be used for ceilings. Because of low modulus of elasticity,
it is used for automobile bumpers and the like.
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