MATERIAL OVERVIEW

Characteristics: Pure aluminum is a silvery white, crystalline solid. Tensile strength (annealed) 6800 psi, coldrolled 16,000 psi. Forms protective coating of Al2O3 about 50 thick, which makes it highly resistant to ordinary corrosion. Attacked by concentrated and dilute solutions of HCl, hot conc.  H2SO4 and perchloric acid, also violently by strong alkalies. Rapidly oxidized by water at 180 oC. Not attacked by dilute or cold concentrated H2SO4 and concentrated nitric acid. Electrical conductivity about 2/3 that of copper. Aluminum qualifies as both a light metal and a heavy metal, according to their respective definitions.

It is most widely used for kitchen utensils, outside decoration, and in thousands of industrial applications where a strong, light, easily constructed material is needed.

These alloys are of vital importance in the construction of modern aircraft and rockets. Aluminum, evaporated in a vacuum, forms a highly reflective coating for both visible light and radiant heat. These coatings soon form a thin layer of the protective oxide and do not deteriorate as do silver coatings. They are used to coat telescope mirrors and to make decorative paper, packages, and toys.

Derivation: From bauxite by Bayer process (q.v.) and subsequent electrolytic reduction by Hall process (q.v.). There are several processes for obtaining ultrapure aluminum: (a) electrolytic (three-layer); (b) zone refining (q.v.); and (c) chemical refining. Purities up to 6N8 are possible.  More efficient processes are the Alcoa and Toth processes (q.v.); these require much less electric power than the Hall process (q.v.); Another method, using no electricity, involves heating a mixture of aluminum ores with a coal-derived fuel in a closed furnace; this yields AlOSi alloys, which are not only useful as such, but can be refined to pure aluminum.

Hazard: Fine powder forms flammable and explosive mixtures in air. Tolerance, 10 mg/m3 of air; soluble salts, 2 mg/m3 of air. Nontoxic and noncombustible except in powder forms.

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GENERAL PROPERTIES

TYPICAL ANALYSES

Impurities in ppm

ALUMINUM WIRE

Material	Purity
Aluminum Wire .001”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .002”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .003”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .004”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .005”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .006”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .007”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .008”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .009”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .010”	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .020"	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .030"	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .040"	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .050"	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .060"	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .070"	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .080"	3N, 4N, 5N
Aluminum Wire .090"	3N, 4N, 5N

Wire diameters are available in increments of .001”. Wire is spooled to order and sold by the foot or meter. Additional diameters are available upon request. Call or e-mail for a quotation.

ALUMINUM ROD

Additional diameters can be drawn in 2-3 days. Rod is cut to order and sold by the inch or foot. Additional diameters are available upon request. Call or e-mail for a quotation. 

ALUMINUM FOIL

Foil is cut to order and sold by the square inch or square foot. Additional thicknesses are available upon request. Call or e-mail for a quotation. 

ALUMINUM SHEET

Sheet thicknesses are available in increments of .001”. Sheet is cut to order and sold by the square inch or square foot. Additional thicknesses are available upon request. Call or e-mail for a quotation.

ALUMINUM SPUTTERING TARGETS

Additional sizes and sputtering targets produced from compounds are available upon request.  

ALUMINUM POWDER, SHOT, PELLETS, & INGOT

Powder, shot, pellets, and ingots are packaged to order and sold by the gram or kilogram.  

ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS

Compounds are packaged to order and sold by the gram or kilogram.