Aluminum; One of the Most Abundant Metallic Element Found In the Earth's Crust

Aluminum (Al) is a lightweight silvery white metal of main Group 13 of the periodic table. It is the most widely used nonferrous metal and the most abundant metallic element in Earth's crust but is rarely found uncombined in nature. It is the second most malleable metal and the sixth most ductile. Moreover, aluminum metal is nontoxic (as the metal) and nonmagnetic. It can be also spelled as aluminium. Aluminum became preferred in Canada and the U.S., while aluminium became favored throughout the rest of the English-speaking world.

It is lightweight, durable, and functional which makes Al ideal as an engineering material as it is highly resistant to corrosion. Aluminum has find a wide range of applications in various end-use industries, such as construction, electronics, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and packaging, for making various products. In the automotive industry, aluminum can be used to increase the size and energy absorption capacity of the vehicle's front and rear crumple zones, thereby increasing safety without increasing weight.

Moreover, aluminum is used in a variety of products such as aeroplane parts, kitchen utensils, window frames, foils, cans, and beer kegs, among others owing to its particular properties. As aluminium is easier to handle and is efficient, it is commonly used in the production of different consumer goods. From smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs, and even some household items, Al makes it look modern yet sophisticated with its finish. Countless objects that simplify as well as increase the quality of life are partly made of aluminum.

For example, cars, aircrafts, kitchenware, refrigerators, electric power lines, CDs, computers, furniture, and packaging for food and medicine, among others. Aluminium is widely used in building because of its intrinsic properties of lightness and corrosion resistance. 6061 Al is the most commonly used aluminum alloy in the construction and architecture industry. Thus, there is an increasing demand for aluminum around the world. In 2020, the United States produced around one million metric tons of aluminum.