What Does
Aluminum (Al) Mean?
Aluminum (Al) is an element on the periodic table with the atomic number 13, and is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust. Aluminum is solid at room temperature. It is silver-colored in appearance and relatively lightweight compared to many other metals such as steel. Aluminum is commonly alloyed with other elements to increase its mechanical properties.
Corrosionpedia Explains Aluminum (Al)
Aluminum has the following properties:
- Average atomic mass: 35.45 amu
- Density: 2.7grams/cubic centimeter
- Melting point: 660.3°C (1,220.6°F)
- Boiling point: 2,467°C (4,472°F)
Aluminum was discovered in 1825 by Hans Oersted. It is named after the Latin word “alumen.”
Although abundant on Earth, aluminum is seldom found in its pure form. It is typically found and mined in the form of bauxite and then extracted using a special process.
Aluminum is preferred over steel in some applications due to its lower density, better machinability and superior corrosion resistance due to its protective oxide layer. Aluminum is also an excellent conductor of electricity.