By Darsh Jain

Aluminium
Aluminium

Background Knowledge

Ø Aluminium is a lightweight and malleable

metal on the periodic table.
Ø It is one of the elements that are used in
everyday life.
Ø It is known for its abundance in the
Earth's crust and its various industrial
applications ranging from construction
materials to aerospace components.
Ø Its chemical symbol is ‘Al’
Ø Its atomic number is 13.
 Aluminium
ØAluminium has a density lower than that of
other common metals, about one-third that of
steel.
ØIt has a great affinity towards oxygen,
forming a protective layer of oxide on the
surface when exposed to air.
ØIt is infinitely recyclable meaning it can be
recycled several times.
ØIt was first used in Ancient Greece
ØIt was once considered more precious than
gold.
 Aluminium
History

Ø The history of aluminium is marked

by its transformation from a rare
and precious metal to a widely used
and versatile material.
Ø The first aluminium was discovered
in 1825 by Hans Christian Oersted.
Ø When it was first discovered it was
called ‘Alumium’.
Ø It was one of the newest metals to be
discovered by humans.
Ø It doesn’t occur naturally, so it was
discovered as chemistry and the
advent of electricity developed.
 Aluminium

Physical Properties
Ø It has low density which means it is
lightweight.
Ø Good electrical and thermal conductor
Ø Is highly ductile which means it can be
beaten to be made very thin.
Ø Can be 100% recycled
Ø It is a good reflector of visible light and
heat.
Ø Aluminium doesn’t produce sparkles
when it comes in contact with itself or
with other non-ferrous metals.
 Aluminium

Chemical
Properties
Ø The melting point of aluminium is
660.32 Celsius.
Ø Its boiling point is 2579 Celsius.
3
Ø Aluminium's density is 2.7 g/cm
Ø It is the 2nd most malleable metal.
Ø Aluminium can react with acids to
liberate hydrogen gas.
Ø Aluminium can undergo
displacement reactions with certain
metals, such as iron, in acidic
solutions.
Aluminium

Metallurgy
Ø
Extraction: Aluminium is extracted from bauxite
ore using the Bayer process, which involves
converting bauxite to alumina (aluminium oxide).
Ø Electrolysis: Alumina is then subjected to
electrolysis in the Hall-Héroult process to produce
aluminium metal.
Ø Purification: The extracted aluminium undergoes
purification to remove impurities.
Ø Casting and Forming: Purified aluminium is cast
or formed into various shapes using processes like
casting, rolling, extrusion, or forging.
 Aluminium Ø Transportation: Lightweight aluminium alloys are used in the
automotive and aerospace industries for fuel efficiency.
Application in Ø Construction: Aluminium is employed in architectural
structures for its corrosion resistance and strength-to-weight
the Real Life ratio.
Ø Packaging: Aluminium foil is widely utilized for food
preservation and packaging due to its barrier properties.
Ø Electronics: Aluminium is used in electronic devices for heat
dissipation and structural support.
Ø Consumer Goods: Aluminium is found in cookware, furniture,
and sports equipment due to its durability and versatility.
 Q1. What are the physical properties of aluminium?
Aluminium
Q2. What is the history of Aluminium Extraction?
Questions
 Q1. What are the physical properties of aluminium?
Ans1. Aluminium is lightweight, malleable, ductile, and has a low density.

Aluminium Q2. What is the history of Aluminium Extraction?

Ans2. Aluminium extraction began in the 19th century with the
development of the Bayer process for extracting alumina from bauxite,
Answers followed by the Hall-Héroult process for electrolytic reduction of alumina to
produce aluminium metal.
Credits: The Royal
Society of Chemistry