Aluminum and aluminum extrusion story

Aluminum and aluminum extrusion story

Aluminum and aluminum extrusion story

Origins of Aluminum

Compared to other metals like copper, bronze, iron and steel, which have been in use for thousands of years, aluminum is relatively young, having been identified as an elemental metal in 1807.

Aluminum was first refined in 1825, and at that time it was considered a luxurious metal which was more expensive than gold.

It was not until the late 1880s, with the invention of the smelting process by Hall and Héroult and the development of commercial production, that the silvery metal became affordable for everyday purposes.

The initial working processes consisted of rolling, casting, and forging.

Aluminum

The name aluminum is derived from the ancient name for alum (potassium aluminum sulphate), which was alumen (Latin, meaning bitter salt).

Aluminum was the original name given to the element by Humphry Davy but others called it aluminum and that became the accepted name in Europe.

However, in the USA the preferred name was aluminum and when the American Chemical Society debated on the issue, in 1925, it decided to stick with aluminum.

Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal.

It has a dull silvery appearance, because of a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air.

Aluminum is nontoxic (as the metal) nonmagnetic and non-sparking.

Aluminum has only one naturally occurring isotope, aluminium-27, which is not radioactive.

Aluminum Characteristics:

Aluminum is a lightweight, highly conductive, reflective and non-toxic metal that can be easily machined.

The metal’s durability and numerous advantageous properties make it an ideal material for many industrial applications.

Aluminum is also very helpful when you have an aluminum barbeque and it is left out in the rain, because aluminum doesn’t rust.

it is also a very hard and light element and that’s why cars are made from it, and also because it absorbs impact shock for when you are in car accidents, this is why you should buy it, so if you get in a car accident the aluminum will absorb most the impact and you will be safe

Aluminum history:

Aluminum compounds were used by ancient Egyptians as dyes, cosmetics and medicines, but it was not until 5000 years later that humans discovered how to smelt pure metallic aluminum.

Not surprisingly, the development of methods to produce aluminum metal coincided with the advent of electricity in the 19th century, as aluminum smelting requires significant amounts of electricity.

A major breakthrough in aluminum production came in 1886 when Charles Martin Hall discovered that aluminum could be produced using electrolytic reduction.

Until that time, aluminum had been more rare and more expensive than gold.

However, within two years of Hall’s discovery, aluminum companies were being established in Europe and America.

During the 20th century, aluminum demand grew substantially, particularly in the transportation and packaging industries.

Although production techniques have not changed substantially, they have become notably more efficient.

Over the past 100 years, the amount of energy consumed to produce one unit of aluminum has decreased 70%.

History of aluminum extrusion

Aluminum extrusion has been applied in many innovative ways since its earliest beginnings more than 100 years ago.

From its early use in creating pipes and wires to futuristic applications in space station construction, aluminum extrusion has a rich history.

The extrusion process was first patented in 1797 for making lead pipes, which was done with manual labour until the introduction of the hydraulic powered press in 1820.

By the end of nineteenth century, extrusion methods were also in use for copper and brass alloys, but the application of aluminum extrusion followed a unique path.

Development of Aluminum Extrusion

Alexander Dick invented the modern hot extrusion process in 1894, which was applicable to most non-ferrous alloys.

Today, aluminum is the most commonly extruded metal, and it can be used with both hot and cold extrusion processes.

North America had its first aluminum extrusion press in 1904 in Pennsylvania, USA.

The introduction of extrusion created a sharp rise in leading-edge applications for aluminum, particularly in the manufacturing of automotive parts.

The burgeoning demand for aluminum extrusion reached new heights during the two world wars for use in aircraft manufacturing and other military requirements.

The rapid development of extrusion continued after World War II, and began to expand into various industries including the residential housing sector, which experienced substantial growth in the postwar period.

In subsequent decades, the transportation and construction sectors have always been the principal benefactors of aluminum extrusion products.

Even in present times, the bulk of extrusion usage is in manufacturing doors and windows, followed by passenger vehicles.

Other major extrusion products and applications are consumer staples and the construction of bridges and highways.

The short history of aluminum extrusion, in comparison to other metals, has seen extensive development and growth, revolutionizing the way we live.

As new purposes are discovered in space exploration and here at home, aluminum extrusion will continue to be an important part of the future.

Brightstar Aluminum Machinery offers aluminum machines for our customers, not only the machine, but also the solution.

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