Aluminum is a chemical element. Its chemical symbol is Al, and its atomic number is 13. The content of aluminum in the earth's crust is second only to oxygen and silicon, ranking third. It is the most abundant metal element in the earth's crust. In the category of metals, it is the second largest category after steel. By the end of the 19th century, aluminum had emerged as a competitive metal in engineering applications and was in vogue for a while. The development of the three major industries of aviation, construction, and automobile requires that the material properties have the unique properties of aluminum and its alloys, which greatly facilitates the production and application of this new metal aluminum. Aluminum is widely used.
Aluminum alloy is a general term for aluminum based alloys. The main alloy elements include copper, silicon, magnesium, zinc, and manganese, while the secondary alloy elements include nickel, iron, titanium, chromium, and lithium.
Aluminum alloys have a low density, but relatively high strength, close to or better than high-quality steel. They have good plasticity and can be processed into various shapes. They have excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. They are widely used in industry, with a usage only second to that of steel.
