Aluminum’s use dates back all the way to ancient Greece in salt form for tanning hides, dressing wounds and fireproofing wood fortifications. It is rumored that Napolean once gifted aluminum cutlery to his most valuable guests. Enter the industrial era: Aluminum underwent a remarkable transformation, rebranding itself from a scarce commodity to a ubiquitous material that shaped the world as we know it. Its presence and uses vary from the vehicle industry to household materials.
Aluminum is your down-to-earth, low maintenance metal. It can shift into numerous forms, it’s reliable, lightweight, and exceptionally recyclable. Its well-deserved popularity is owed to several factors. It’s simultaneously sturdy and easy to use. It’s a metal that works with you. Ductile and agreeable, aluminum can be molded into numerous configurations: from bicycle frames to cylindrical cans to extrusions for glazed partitions.
Ductile
Aluminum has a low melting point, enabling it to easily adapt to the forms of your choice. It is the sixth most ductile metal. In terms of extrusions, you can design it to be wide like MIMO or slim like FINO. It bends more easily than many other materials, which can facilitate production when creating Aluminum’s ability to withstand bending and shaping without sacrificing strength makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of industries, from architecture to aerospace. In addition to aesthetics, its ductility ensures optimal performance and longevity.
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum is one of the longer-lasting metals. It naturally forms a protective oxide layer when exposed to oxygen, preventing oxidation and therefore rusting. This inherent resistance to corrosion allows a longer lifespan, benefitting you both in terms of cost and maintenance. Whether it's outdoor architectural features or industrial components, aluminum's corrosion resistance ensures longevity, reducing the need for repairs or replacements.
Light Weight
Another factor that sets aluminum apart from other metals is its weight. Aluminum has a density of 2.7kg per dm3, making it three times less dense than steel. The fact that it’s lightweight makes it a relatively easy material to transport. In terms of glazed walls, you can gain the double benefit of its strength (which holds the partitions), and its manageable weight (that facilitates its mobility), ultimately leading to reduced emissions and operating costs.
Low Maintenance
You can have the right walls for your office with minimum hassle. Aluminum's low maintenance is another key advantage, particularly in applications where durability and reliability are paramount. Once installed, aluminum structures typically require little ongoing upkeep. Whether it's glazed walls in commercial buildings or aluminum components in machinery, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your investment will continue to perform efficiently with minimal intervention. This further translates to cost savings and operational efficiency, allowing you to focus resources on other areas of your business.
Recyclable
And this leads us to sustainability.
Even in its recyclability, aluminum is accommodating, flexible, and easygoing. It is infinitely recyclable, meaning it can be melted down and reformed repeatedly without any loss of quality. In fact, 75% of all aluminum produced is still in use. What’s more, recycled aluminum consumes 5% of the energy used to develop the original material. This not only reduces the demand for virgin aluminum ore but also minimizes energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminum production. The convenience of its recyclability means that aluminum products can be transformed into new shapes with ease, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. This blog goes into more detail about aluminum recyclability.
Aluminum is ever evolving, as its progress continues and grows throughout several industries. In a world that prioritizes sustainability, aluminum’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness make it an appealing option. The unique combination of its properties ensures us of its convenience and flexibility, cementing its presence in this rapidly growing world.
