Aluminium

Aluminium is abundantly available in the ore called bauxite. Bauxite is hydrated aluminium oxide. The manufacturing process involves the bauxite first being purified and then dissolving in molten cryolite. From this solution, aluminium is separated by electrolysis at about 900°C.

Aluminium has the following properties:

1. It offers high resistance to corrosion.
2. It is ductile and malleable.
3. It is quite strong.
4. It has tensile strength varying from 95 to 160 MN/m².
5. It easily forms alloys with iron, copper, zinc and other metals.
6. It is electron positive.
7. It is unaffected under normal atmospheric conditions.