{"id":253158,"date":"2021-09-06T13:53:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T13:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rapidmetals.co.uk\/?p=253158"},"modified":"2021-09-07T14:02:02","modified_gmt":"2021-09-07T14:02:02","slug":"top-10-uses-for-aluminium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rapidmetals.co.uk\/top-10-uses-for-aluminium\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Uses for Aluminium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aluminium is the most abundant metal on Earth, and it is the third most abundant mineral after silicon and oxygen. It has a lot of desirable qualities, including being lightweight, resistant to corrosion, a great electrical conductor, reflects light and heat, is non-toxic, and is 100% recyclable without losing any of its original properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to its wide range of benefits, aluminium<\/a> is the second most used metal on the planet, meaning almost everyone has used an aluminium product at some point in their life. It is extremely versatile and perfect for all manner of consumer products. To show you just how useful aluminium is, we\u2019ve put together a list of the top 10 uses of aluminium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Trains<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steel and iron have long been the go-to materials for trains and railways, but as time goes on, aluminium is becoming increasingly more common. It\u2019s more lightweight and efficient than iron and steel, meaning trains can travel faster. Although it\u2019s lighter, it\u2019s no less strong. Carriages moulded from aluminium are just as strong as those made from steel and iron, meaning they\u2019re equally as safe, but with the added benefit of being lighter, allowing for faster commutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another added bonus of using aluminium for trains is that carriages will require less maintenance thanks to the corrosion-resistant properties of the metal. It could also be argued that aluminium is safer when used on transmission lines in place of more valuable copper lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ships<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being so lightweight yet strong, aluminium is the perfect material for ships and boats. With a lower mass, it allows for more cargo, people and\/or fuel to be loaded onto the vessel, reducing the number of trips necessary, therefore making shipping more efficient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just commercial ships that aluminium is used for \u2013 it\u2019s commonly used in the making of speedboats because its mass allows for greater speeds to be reached, making it ideal for sporting and competitive boating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Cars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vast majority of people travel in cars every single day. They\u2019ve come a long way since they were first invented, and they\u2019re now safer than ever, but aluminium is making them even more safe. For the same reason the metal is used on ships and trains, it is used in cars. The lightweight yet super-strong properties mean cars weigh less but protect passengers equally as much as heavier metals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lower mass reduces the weight of the car, and the lighter the car, the more fuel efficient it is. To add to the economical properties of aluminium, it is 100% recyclable which means when cars are scrapped, the metal can be re-used for something else, creating a more sustainable lifespan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Window Frames<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most modern window frames are made from aluminium, whilst older ones are made from wood. The major benefit of using aluminium for window frames is that it\u2019s extremely durable and works well in windy and stormy climates. They\u2019re cheaper to manufacture and easier to maintain, but it is worth noting that wood window frames are better insulators and are therefore more efficient. This is because aluminium tends to reflect light and heat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Spacecrafts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps one of the most impressive uses of the humble aluminium mineral is that it is used in almost all space missions. The same material that is used on your car is also used on spacecraft, and for exactly the same reasons. It endures heat extremely well, is strong and durable, and is lightweight. These are all components vital to space missions, and for that reason, aluminium is a go-to material for space agencies around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Construction <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

High rise buildings are an integral part of modern society, especially in large cities as the race for space continues. Steel has been used in the construction of skyscrapers for decades, and it\u2019s still integral to this day, but aluminium is being used more often because it\u2019s just as strong but a lot lighter. This means foundations don\u2019t need to be as deep, and overall project costs can be reduced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Electronics <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a new TV, mobile phone or computer in your house, there\u2019s a good chance it has been manufactured with aluminium to a degree. Plastic and steel have historically been used, but the latter is not very durable, and neither option does much in the way of dispersing heat. Aluminium bridges these gaps. It\u2019s lighter than steel which means electronics don\u2019t need to weigh you down and can remain highly portable, but it\u2019s excellent at absorbing heat, keeping your devices cooler and functioning better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Power Lines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminium is not as good of an electrical conductor as copper, but it\u2019s less than a third of the weight, and it\u2019s far less expensive, too. For these reasons, aluminium is beginning to replace copper on power lines based on its weight to conductivity ratio. It will take two lots of aluminium to get the same output as copper, but it will weigh half as much and cost far less, making it an increasingly more attractive option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. Aircraft<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminium is used on every other mode of transport, so it makes sense that it is used on aircraft, too. Aeroplanes need to be lightweight to account for passengers and cargo, but they also need to be durable and able to withstand the demands of flying at 30,000 feet. Aluminium is great for this because although it\u2019s light, it\u2019s very durable and rivals its much heavier counterpart, steel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only this, it\u2019s also better in terms of maintenance because of its corrosion-resistant properties, and the lighter mass allows for greater fuel efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Appliances<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a fridge in your kitchen, there\u2019s a strong chance it relies on aluminium. As a reflector of heat, it\u2019s perfect for refrigerating food. Your washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer also all likely use an aluminium frame, making it one of the more prolific metals you use in your day-to-day life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Buy Aluminium Online <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the 10 uses listed above, aluminium is great for hobbyist metal applications, too. Whatever your needs, Rapid Metals can help. We are a leading provider of aluminium available to buy online. We supply aluminium: <\/p>\n\n\n\n