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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, refrigerators, air conditioning heating systems
Transportation
Structural
Pipe Sizing
Include a sizing chart.
Suppliers
Contributors:
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