History of Aluminum 22-04-2020

Ancient Roman texts speak of a material that looked like silver but was much lighter. We know now that they had accidentally come upon an aluminium alloy. At this time, aluminum oxide clays were also used in hide-tanning, first aid, and fireproofing.

Curiosity grew over the following years which led to Hans Christian Oersted's successful production of the first aluminium alloy. Aluminium became very popular but still rare because of the high production cost. The versatility and potential of this new metal led to a race to find a better way to make useful aluminum.

In 1887, Karl Josef Bayer developed a process that allows aluminum to be extracted from a common, natural, aluminum ore. This process is the same process from which almost all of the world's aluminum is produced.

Bayer's method lit the spark that changed the industry. Aluminum was cheap enough to be cost effective and was subsequently used for aircrafts, automotive parts, electrical wiring, and any application that requires high-strength, low-weight, metal.

After the war effort ended, aluminum was used for many household products. Aluminum washers and dryers became a standard in the American home.

The late 1950's saw the first two piece aluminium beverage cans with a pop top.

As the decades passed aluminum maintained its position as one of the most useful materials on earth. It was used to launch shuttles into space and to bring in the personal computer revolution.

Aluminum

Aluminum is among the most abundant elements on earth. Pure aluminum is so reactive that it reacts with the air that we breathe. However, when it is combined with other metals, into an alloy, aluminum is a very useful material with a wide-range of uses. In its natural form, aluminum is soft and pliable. This form of raw aluminum is sometimes directly processed into useable products, but in many cases, aluminum is alloyed with other materials. Aluminum alloys are extensively used in construction, aerospace, food services, sporting goods, and a host of other industries.