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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

What is Aluminum?

Aluminum is a metallic element with the atomic number of 13 on the periodic table. In room temperature it's in the solid state. As a solid in room temperature, it is a silvery-white reflective metal. Aluminum is the most abundant element on Earth. It is light weight, non-magnetic, and has a melting point of 660 degrees Celsius. https://www.britannica.com/science/iridium

Advantages

Light weight - Compared to copper and iron, aluminum about a third as dense https://www.britannica.com/science/iridium
Corrosion-resistant - Even though aluminum is chemically active, when exposed to oxygen a hard, tough oxide film forms https://www.britannica.com/science/iridium
Conductive - Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity https://www.britannica.com/science/iridium
Thermal impacts - Since Aluminum has an FCC structure, a decrease in temperature does not cause it to be more brittle https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/brittle-transition#:~:text=Aluminium%20is%20an%20fcc%20metal,become%20brittle%20at%20low%20temperature.&text=Metals%20with%20a%20body%20centred,ductile%20tearing%20at%20high%20temperature.

Disadvantages

Cost - Compared to steel aluminum is much more expensive https://www.metalbulletin.com/Article/3330473/STEEL-VS-AL-Steel-still-trumps-aluminium-for-cost-efficient-sustainable-carmaking.html#:~:text=In%20raw%20materials%20costs%2C%20aluminium,30%25%20more%20expensive%20than%20steel.
Durability - Steel is more durable, but depending on the application, Aluminum can be a good option https://blog.mchoneind.com/blog/aluminum-tubing-stainless-steel-tubing#:~:text=Aluminum%20is%20simply%20not%20as,high%2Dstress%20environments%20or%20applications.
Welding - While it is possible to weld aluminum, it requires more experience https://blog.mchoneind.com/blog/aluminum-tubing-stainless-steel-tubing#:~:text=Aluminum%20is%20simply%20not%20as,high%2Dstress%20environments%20or%20applications.

Applications

The applications of aluminum tubing/piping include:

Heat Exchange

Since Aluminum is a great heat conductor, aluminum tubing can be found in applications that involve the collection and transfer of heat. For example aluminum tubing can be found in engines, radiators found on some cars, refrigerators, air conditioning heating systems, and more.