Aluminium

BY GRACE JOSEPH
What is Aluminium?

 The 13th element in the periodic table with an approximate mass of 26 g/mol.
 The most abundant metal present in the Earth’s crust.
 The most commonly used nonferrous metal.
Production of Aluminium
Production of Aluminium

The production of the aluminium can be grouped into three main stages:
1. Bauxite Mining
2. The Bayer Process
3. The Hall-Heroult Smelting Process
Bayer Process
Bayer Process

  The bauxite is first heated with sodium hydroxide.

 Any other basic impurities that may be present in the bauxite sample is filtered off
with the red-brown iron (III) oxide.
 The filtrate collected is then reacted with carbon dioxide to form aluminium
hydroxide.
 The aluminium hydroxide is then filtered, washed and heated to form pure
alumina ().
 The silicate ions from the silicon (VI) oxide remain in the filtrate.
Electrolysis of molten aluminium
oxide (Smelting)
Smelting

The  reaction


Cathode:

Anode:
Smelting

 The pure aluminium is deposited at the bottom of the cell at the cathode. It is then
taped off and collected.
 The anode actively participates within the reaction, therefore it must be replaced
continually.
Uses of aluminium
Uses of Aluminium

 It is a good thermal conductor. Hence, it is used in making cooking utensils and

pots.
 It is also a good thermal insulator. It is used on the production of fire fighters
garments to reflect the high heat from fires.
 It is non-magnetic so it is used in the production of navigational equipment since
it isn’t affected significantly by magnetic fields.
 It is a good reducing agent and this purpose makes it useful in the chemical and
steel industries as a reducing agent.
 It has electrical conductivity which allows it to be used as a substitute for copper
in electrical wiring.
Uses of aluminium
It has a high resistivity to corrosion,
therefore it is used for packaging food
products. The resistivity to corrosion can be
increased by a process known as anodizing.
Uses of aluminium
Aluminium can be combined with other
metals to form alloys. These alloys have
various uses. For example, Duralumin (90%
Al, 4% Cu, 1% Mg and 1% Mn) is used in
the manufacture of aircraft parts.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

WHY SHOULD YOU
INVEST INTO
ALUMINIUM?
Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling
Corp
Thank you
References
1. (2013, January 10) Resolve to recycle
The Daily Observer
Retrieved from antiguaobserver.com/resolve-to-recycle/
2. The Aluminium Association (n.d.) Secondary Production
Retrieved from aluminium.org/industries/production/secondary- production
3. Antigua nice.com (n.d.) Recycling is a good habit pick it up
Retrieved from anitguanice.com/