Aluminum Key Terms

Familiarize yourself with aluminum key terms to better understand the metals industry

Aluminum metal is all around us, from the cookware we use to the vehicles we drive. Soda cans we drink from at work and aluminum foil for barbecues all utilize aluminum in one form or another. This metal is known primarily for its durability and strength, as well as for being one of the most abundant materials in the world. Aluminum can be used in a number of different processes for a variety of different reasons. To understand more about aluminum and the processes it can go through, consider becoming educated on some important and valuable aluminum key terms for additional information.

 

Alumina

Alumina is an aluminum oxide. It is produced from bauxite via a complex chemical process and is white and powdery, bearing a resemblance to granulated sugar. While alumina is considered to be an intermediate step when producing aluminum from bauxite, it is also considered to be an important and valuable chemical all on its own.
Try: Facts, information and pictures with regard to alumina can be found at Britannica.com.

Machinability

Machinability describes the ease with which a metal is able to be worked with by machine tools. For example, aluminum is believed to have a good machinability and can be processed and worked with by machines fairly easily.
Try: The machinability of aluminum is explored in detail at Secat.net.

Reflectivity

Reflectivity describes the ability of a surface, such as metal or aluminum, to reflect light, as well as other electromagnetic radiations. Aluminum has been proven to have a high reflectivity. For visible light, it has an 80% reflectivity and for infrared radiation aluminum has a 90% reflectivity.
Try: The improved reflectivity of aluminum mirrors is discussed at PGO-online.com.

Thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity describes a material's ability to transmit heat through itself. It also describes the material's ability to do so through direct contact with other materials and substances. Widely used in cookware, radiators and other heat exchange operations, aluminum has a good level of thermal conductivity.
Try: The thermal conductivity of aluminum, as well as some other common metals, is explored and explained at EngineeringToolBox.com.

Deburring

Deburring occurs when burrs, sharp edges and fins are removed from metal parts and pieces, such as aluminum pieces, via filing, grinding or tumbling.
Try: Ideas and concepts for deburring aluminum are discussed at Finishing.com.

Annealing

Annealing is a thermal treatment. The overall goal of annealing is to soften the metal. For instance, with aluminum, this is performed by removing all of the metals stress which might result from either cold working or coalescing precipitates from a solid solution.
Try: Specifics regarding the annealing of aluminum are discussed at KeyToMetals.com.

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