Aluminium :: essays research papers

aluminiumThe history of Aluminium habitAluminium is now one of the just about widely used metals, simply one of the hardest torefine due to its reactivity with separate elements. Even as late as the wrick ofthe century, Aluminium was considered very valuable and in turn expensive, evenmore expensive than gold. In some cultures, when a function was held (forexample, a party) by wealthy people, only the most recognise guests would be givenAluminium cutlery, the others had to make do with gold or silver cutlery.A Description of the Aluminium ore, including a list of its limitPure Aluminium oxide is known as alumina (Al2O3). This is found as corundum, acrystalline. Aluminium can also occur as cryolite (Na3AlF6). Traces of othermetal oxides in Aluminium oxide tint it to make it pass water stones (often precious)for example chronium gives a red colour to rubies, and cobalt makes the blue insapphires.How Aluminium deposits ar formedAluminium (like many other metals) is non found in its pure form, butassociated with other elements in rocks and minerals. An aluminosilicate such(prenominal) asfelspar (KAlSi3O8) is the main constituent of many rocks such as granite, whichis crystallization and mica cemented together with felspar. These rocks are graduallyweathered and broken mess by the action of carbon-dioxide from the air dissolvedin rainwater forming kaolin. This is come along broken down to form othersubstances, ultimately resulting in the governing body of Aluminium deposits.Where and how Aluminium is mined?Aluminium is never found in its pure state until it has been refined. Aluminiumis made when refining alumina, which is in turn found from the ore bauxite.Bauxite is often mined in the opencast method.Aluminium deposits are found in many countries, but the countries withsignificant deposits include Guinea, Jamaica, Surinam, Australia and Russia.How is Aluminium refined?One method is the electrolytic process. This is performed when a low potencycurr ent is passes through a bath containing alumina in the molten form. Thealumina is broken down into Aluminium metal which collects at the merchantman of thebath at one electrical pole, the cathode, and the oxygen which reacts at theother pole, the anode, to give carbon-dioxide and some carbon-monoxide.The uses and properties of AluminiumAluminium is now the second most widely used metal, after iron.