Aluminum About aluminum Facts about aluminum Facts about aluminum Strong, lightweight and sustainable, aluminum has some truly amazing properties that make it perfect for a wide range of uses. Here are some other interesting facts about aluminum. Aluminum is abundant Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust, after oxygen and silicon. There is, in other words, more aluminum than iron in this world, and our resources will last us for generations with today’s aluminum consumption. Aluminum is lightweight A piece in aluminum weighs only one-third of one in steel (2.7 g/cm3). In addition to making it easier to handle in a factory or on a building site, aluminum’s low weight also translates into reduced energy consumption during transportation, making aluminum not just a lightweight and versatile choice of material, but also an economically viable one. Aluminum keeps food fresh Aluminum foil reflects both heat and light and is completely impermeable, which means no taste, aroma or light gets in or out. This trait makes it perfect for food preservation and it’s already widely used in the food industry and private households alike. Efficient food conservation also leads to less waste. Aluminum is easy to form Aluminum is very ductile, and it may be shaped into everything from bicycle frames and boat hulls to computer cases and kitchen utensils. It’s easy to process in both cold and hot condition, and we can also create different alloys. Aluminum alloys are usually used to enhance aluminum’s properties for specific engineering structures and components where light weight or corrosion resistance are important. The most common elements used in aluminum alloys are magnesium, silicon, manganese, zinc and copper. Aluminum thus offers complete design freedom and is suitable for a wide range of uses. Aluminum is a great reflector Aluminum reflects both heat and light, trapping warmth and cold under its cover, making it ideal for both food preservation and emergency blankets. And light fittings, mirrors, chocolate wrappers, window frames and a whole lot of other uses. Also, the high energy efficiency in reflectors reduces energy consumption, adding to aluminum’s superiority over most metals. Aluminum is low-maintenance Aluminum reacts with the oxygen in the air, forming a protective oxide coating that makes it corrosion resistant. This means less maintenance and replacements compared to metals like iron or steel. Reduced maintenance and less need for replacements are good news for both the environment and the overall budget of any project. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable Few materials are as easily recycled as aluminum. It requires only 5% of the original production energy to recycle aluminum, and none of aluminum's material properties are lost in the recycling process. This explains why nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use. Sign up for Shapes, the newsletter for all things aluminum Updated: October 20, 2020 How is aluminum made? Get the highlights on aluminum's journey from bauxite, through production, use and recycling. Did you know? Products made of aluminum weigh one-third of those made of steel. The aluminium knowledge hub How composition and alloying elements affect corrosion resistance in aluminium What aluminium alloys are best for bicycle frames How you can compare the footprints of low-carbon aluminium products About Hydro Key facts Hydro worldwide The Hydro Way Brand center Corporate governance Modern Slavery Transparency statement Website cookies Contact Contact Media contacts Investor Relations Contacts Customer service portal Follow us Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Flickr YouTube Shapes Suppliers Privacy policy Terms & conditions Accessibility Sitemap © 2021 Norsk Hydro ASA