Aluminum

Anco machining works with a number of different materials. One of the most popular materials for machining world-wide is aluminum. Aluminum is a silvery white alloy that is a member of the boron group of the various chemical elements. Its symbol, as seen on the periodic table of the elements, is Al and it has an atomic number of 13. It does not dissolve when placed in water under normal everyday circumstances.

Aluminum is the most abundant metal found in the Earth’s outer crust and the third most abundant element known on the planet, following the first, oxygen and silicon respectively. Aluminum stands as making up 8 percent of the Earth’s (solid) surface. However, aluminum is not found by itself in nature to the chemical reactivity of it. It can be located in more than 275 minerals throughout the world. The main sourced used to extract aluminum is that of bauxite ore.

One reason aluminum is so popular today is that it is highly resistant o any form of corrosion. The aerospace industry is one of the largest consumers of this strong, light and non-corrosive alloy. Seeing that it is a highly reactive substance it has been used in the manufacturing of high explosives and can be found in the more commonly known ammonium nitrate mixture, which will enhance a blasts’ radius. Even though it is found all over the planet not a single form of life is has yet to be discovered t hat used aluminum salts as part of its diet. Trees and other plants are not affected by the high concentrations of aluminum found in top soils. If injected, there are forms of aluminum salt that has toxic effects on animals, but does not occur naturally.

Controversy is still abound as to the long term affects (if any) aluminum has on human genetic make-up. Aluminum is a durable, light weight and easily formed metals which are just a few reasons it is so widely used in today’s society. It can also range from bright silver to a dull grayish color, it has no magnetic properties and will never, under any natural occurring circumstances create sparks. It has a density make up of one-third of steel which makes it easily extruded, cast and machined. When aluminum is exposed to air a thin layer oxidizes which protects it from further corrosion and oxidization.

The use of aluminum is wide spread reaching many markets like aviation, electronics and the food industry all of which Anco precision machining is capable of working with. Until any good reason to stop the use of aluminum is discovered it will continue to play a major role in our everyday lives.