Aluminum: It’s More Than Just Foil
Aluminum is everywhere. From soda cans to airplanes, it’s a cornerstone of modern life. But beyond its everyday uses, aluminum has a surprisingly rich history and some truly unusual properties.
This article dives into the less-known and fascinating aspects of aluminum. We’ll explore its journey from a precious metal, once more valuable than gold, to the highly recyclable and versatile material we know today. Get ready to discover some unusual facts about aluminum that will change how you see this common element.
A royal past: Aluminum’s surprising history
Did you know that aluminum was once worth more than gold?
Aluminum’s early rarity
Back in the 1800s, aluminum was really hard to extract, which made it a precious metal. In fact, Napoleon III used to give his most honored guests aluminum cutlery, as a way to show them how important they were.
The dawn of mass production
In 1886, the Hall-Héroult process was invented. That changed everything, because it suddenly made aluminum production cheap and easy.
Even though it’s everywhere today, aluminum is actually a relatively young commercial metal, at only about 150 years old.
Physical and Chemical Quirks of Aluminum
Aluminum isn’t just your average metal; it has some interesting properties that make it useful in surprising ways.
Lightweight yet Strong
Aluminum is surprisingly light. It has a density of just 2.7 grams per milliliter. In fact, it’s about one-third the weight of steel, making it a perfect material for building cars and airplanes.
Reflective Properties
Aluminum is a shiny metal, reflecting about 98% of infrared rays and 92% of visible light. This high reflectivity makes it useful in manufacturing telescopes that help us see far into the universe.
Corrosion Resistance
Unlike some other metals, aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant. It forms a thin oxide layer that protects it from the elements.
Barrier Properties
Aluminum has unique barrier properties. It prevents moisture and bacteria from penetrating, making it a terrific choice for food and pharmaceutical packaging.
Aluminum in unexpected places
We know that aluminum is used in soda cans and baseball bats, but it also turns up in some surprising applications.
Aerospace industry
Aluminum is essential to the construction of aircraft. Its light weight and high strength made it possible to develop modern aviation.
A Boeing 747, for example, contains around 147,000 pounds (66,000 kg) of aluminum.
Beyond transportation
Aluminum compounds are used in fabric dyeing and tanning hides into leather. They’re also used in fireproofing materials and some first-aid applications.
Packaging industry
Aluminum is widely used to package foods and other products because it protects against outside elements and is easily recycled. For example, Toblerone chocolate bars are wrapped in aluminum foil to maintain freshness.
The Green Metal: Recycling and Sustainability
Aluminum is one of the most recyclable materials on the planet. Here are some facts that show why it’s considered such a “green” metal:
Recycling Efficiency
It takes a lot less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to extract it from ore. In fact, recycling aluminum requires only about 5% of the energy needed to get it from the earth.
That energy savings makes aluminum one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly materials around.
High Recycling Rates
Because it’s so easy to recycle, about 75% of all the aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
And aluminum recycling is a closed-loop system. An aluminum can can be recycled, reprocessed, and back on grocery store shelves as a brand-new can in as little as 60 days.
The Impact of Recycling
Recycling aluminum has a real impact on the environment.
For example, recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power your television for three hours.
Plus, the aluminum industry’s carbon footprint has shrunk by nearly 40% thanks to recycling efforts.
Conclusion
From cookware to construction, aluminum’s unique qualities and impressive recyclability mean it will remain a vital part of countless industries for years to come.
It’s amazing to think that aluminum, once considered more valuable than gold, is now one of the most common and essential materials in the world. It’s so versatile, lightweight, and strong that we use it every day, often without even thinking about it.
And the story of aluminum is far from over. With ongoing innovations in production and recycling, aluminum is becoming even more sustainable and efficient. So, the next time you grab a can of soda or step onto an airplane, remember the remarkable journey of this once-precious metal.