Aluminum alloys and their applications. Great encyclopedia of oil and gas

We sell rolled aluminum alloys wholesale and retail. The catalog contains 765 products located in 11 categories. Shipment of products throughout Russia, convenient payment and ordering system.

Aluminum - properties and characteristics of alloys

In terms of scale of use, aluminum products occupy an honorable second place after steel products. Rolled aluminum has become widespread due to the qualities of the alloy and its performance characteristics. Increased wear resistance, heat and electrical conductivity, resistance to corrosion and external negative influences. Aluminum is easily processed by mechanical methods: forging, casting or stamping. Rolled aluminum is used in construction, shipbuilding and industry, as well as in aviation and astronautics.

During manufacturing, products pass through a special rolling machine by cold or warm rolling. The process uses ferrous, non-ferrous or stainless steel. Aluminum is a flexible and ductile material that is difficult to find in its pure form. To give finished products the necessary properties, alloying elements are added.

Our company sells extruded, rolled, drawn or forged profiles. Available: pipes, sheet metal, profile angles, channels, beams, wire, profile pipes. Rolled metal products are distinguished by an increased degree of strength and reliability. We regularly supply rolled metal to construction sites in Moscow and the Moscow region. During our work, strong partnerships have been established with metallurgical plants in Russia and Western Europe.

Without the use of aluminum, it would be impossible to create modern structures, powerful and light machines, ultra-fast rockets and aircraft, as well as household items.

Al from the Latin Aluminum is a light paramagnetic metal, silver-white in color, density 2712 kg/m³, easy to form, cast and machine. A metal with increased thermal and electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion, due to the formation of an oxide protective film of Al2O3. The melting point of technical aluminum is 658°C, with increased purity 660°C. Resistance of cast aluminum is 10-12 kg/mm², deformable 18-25 kg/mm², alloys 38-42 kg/mm². The plasticity of technical aluminum is 35%, and pure aluminum is 50%; the metal is rolled into thin sheets and even foil. Rolled aluminum with increased electrical conductivity 37·10 6 cm/m and thermal conductivity 203.5 W/(m·K), with increased light reflectivity.

Aluminum alloys - mass fraction of elements in %

• Duralumin(duralumin, duralumin, from the name of the German city where industrial production of the alloy began). Aluminum alloy (base) with copper (Cu: 2.2-5.2%), magnesium (Mg: 0.2-2.7%) manganese (Mn: 0.2-1%). Subject to hardening and aging, often clad with aluminum. It is a structural material for aviation and transport engineering.
• Silumin- light casting alloys of aluminum (base) with silicon (Si: 4-13%), sometimes up to 23% and some other elements: Cu, Mn, Mg, Zn, Ti, Be). They produce parts of complex configurations, mainly in the automotive and aircraft industries.
• Magnalia- alloys of aluminum (base) with magnesium (Mg: 1-13%) and other elements, possessing high corrosion resistance, good weldability, high ductility. They produce shaped castings (casting magnalia), sheets, wire, rivets, etc. (deformable magnalia).

The main advantages of all aluminum alloys are their low density (2.5-2.8 g/cm3), high strength (per unit weight), satisfactory resistance to atmospheric corrosion, comparative cheapness and ease of production and processing.

Aluminum elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio

Applications of aluminum

Widely used as a structural profile in the manufacture kitchen utensils, foils in the food industry, and as packaging tape. And also in the aviation and aerospace industries. The disadvantage of aluminum as a structural material is its low strength, therefore, to strengthen it, aluminum is alloyed with copper and magnesium - duralumin.

Aluminum is used in electrical engineering for the manufacture of wires, shielding, and even in microelectronics when depositing conductors on the surface of microcircuit crystals. Due to the complex of properties, aluminum round pipes are widely used in heating equipment. Aluminum profile pipes are used in construction and industrial assemblies of structures and in the manufacture of furniture. Aluminum alloys do not become brittle at ultra-low temperatures; they are used in cryogenic technology. The increased reflection coefficient, combined with the low cost and ease of vacuum deposition, makes mirrored aluminum sheet the optimal material for making mirrors.

Corrugated aluminum is used to decorate entrance and staircase structures. In the manufacture of facing, anti-slip and decorative coatings. In the automotive industry for the production of thresholds and steps. It is made from deformable alloys of the AMg2N2, AMg2NR and VD1NR grades. Sheets with a matte surface, lenticular, rhombic, duet, diamond, quintet and others. The thickness of the material is 1.5 to 4 millimeters, excluding the height of the protuberances.

Aluminum sheets are used in structures, fuel, food and chemical industries, as well as in construction and mechanical engineering. Produced by hot and then cold deformation. The sheet is made from an aluminum alloy and coated with a thin layer of pure aluminum. The material acquires special ductility, strength and resistance to negative external factors. Due to its performance characteristics, smooth aluminum sheets are most often used in construction as an insulating or finishing material.

In aircraft manufacturing, aluminum circle is used as a base material due to its lightness. The rods are used to make parts of the power frame of aircraft and other components. Aluminum rods are also in demand in the automotive industry. Rods are produced in accordance with GOST 4784, GOST 1131, GOST 11069.

In the construction industry, aluminum plate is widely used in the manufacture of roof edgings that are mounted on buildings. Also when creating decorative and functional elements of architectural and building structures. Suitable for cladding facades.

Aluminum wire is used mainly in welding and electrical engineering. Also used in construction, mechanical engineering, food and furniture industries. As a universal fastener, it is used in the manufacture of nets, furniture fittings, springs, rivets, and various decorative elements.

For the manufacture of lightweight and durable structures, we cannot replace aluminum angles. It is used for elements of sea, river and aircraft vessels, components for cars. The corner is used for enclosing structures, decorative and moderately loaded load-bearing structures. As a blank for the manufacture of parts through subsequent processing. Strength increases due to heat treatment; to increase service life, the corner is subjected to anodic oxidation.

In the construction industry and in particular cladding, aluminum channel is used. Performs the function of a connecting, basic element, found in various lintels, cornices, door and window profiles. Structures made using aluminum channels are distinguished by high rigidity, strength and lightness. Thanks to its plasticity, it can be used to create engineering and design systems of various shapes. Anodized channel has high electrical insulating properties and is not subject to the accumulation of static charge, which is important when constructing high-rise buildings. It is possible to manufacture structures without the use of welding, collapsible structures that can be partially or completely moved to another location. This technology, for example, is used to create seasonal or temporary warehouses and buildings.

Aluminum strips are used to cover the joints between the slabs. As a material for the manufacture of decorative elements in automobile production, interior trim elements are stamped from them. Used in aircraft manufacturing, industry and other areas. The strips are water- and vapor-tight. Non-toxic, can be used in difficult climatic conditions. In electrical engineering, shielding and conductive products are made from aluminum strips.

The chemical element aluminum is a light metal with a silvery color. Aluminum is the most common metal in the earth's crust. The physical and chemical properties of aluminum have allowed it to find wide application in modern industry and everyday life.

Chemical properties of aluminum

The chemical formula of aluminum is Al. Atomic number 13. Aluminum is a simple substance, since its molecule contains an atom of only one element. The outer energy level of an aluminum atom contains 3 electrons. These electrons are easily given up by the aluminum atom during chemical reactions. Therefore, aluminum has high chemical activity and is capable of displacing metals from their oxides. But under normal conditions it is quite resistant to chemical interaction, as it is covered with a durable oxide film.

Aluminum reacts with oxygen only at high temperatures. As a result of the reaction, aluminum oxide is formed. Interaction with sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon also occurs at high temperatures. But aluminum reacts with chlorine and bromine under normal conditions. It reacts with iodine when heated, but only if the catalyst is water. Aluminum does not interact with hydrogen.

With metals, aluminum is capable of forming compounds called aluminides.

Aluminum, cleared of the oxide film, reacts with water. The hydroxide that is obtained as a result of this reaction is a slightly soluble compound.

Aluminum easily reacts with dilute acids, forming salts. But it reacts with concentrated acids only when heated, forming salts and acid reduction products.

Aluminum reacts easily with alkalis.

Physical properties of aluminum

Aluminum is a durable metal, but at the same time it is also ductile and can be easily machined: stamping, polishing, drawing.

Aluminum is the lightest of metals. Has very high thermal conductivity. In terms of electrical conductivity, aluminum is practically not inferior to copper, but at the same time it is much lighter and cheaper.

Application of aluminum

The metal aluminum was first obtained by a Danish physicist Hans Christian Oersted in 1825. And in those days, aluminum was considered a precious metal. Fashionistas loved to wear jewelry made from it.

But the industrial method for producing aluminum was created much later - in 1855 by the French chemist Henri Etienne Saint-Clair Deville.

Aluminum alloys are used in almost all engineering industries. Modern aviation, space and automotive industries, and shipbuilding cannot do without such alloys. The most well-known alloys are duralumin, silumin, and cast alloys. Perhaps the most popular of these alloys is duralumin.

When processing aluminum, hot and cold processing produces profiles, wire, pipes, strips, and sheets. Aluminum sheets or strip are widely used in modern construction. Thus, a special aluminum tape is used to seal the ends of various building panels to provide reliable protection against precipitation and dust getting inside the panel.

Since aluminum has high electrical conductivity, it is used for the manufacture of electrical wires and electrical busbars.

Aluminum is not a precious metal. But some of its compounds are used in the jewelry industry. Probably not everyone knows that ruby ​​and sapphire are single crystals of aluminum oxide to which coloring oxides have been added. The red color of ruby ​​is given by chromium ions, and the blue color of sapphire is due to the content of iron and titanium ions. Pure crystalline aluminum oxide is called corundum.

In industrial conditions, artificial corundum, ruby ​​and sapphire are created.

Aluminum is also used in medicine. It is part of some drugs that have an adsorbing, enveloping and analgesic effect.

It is difficult to find a branch of modern industry that does not use aluminum and its compounds.

Aluminum is of enormous importance in industry due to its increased ductility, high level thermal and electrical conductivity, low corrosion, since the Al2O3 film formed on the surface acts as a protector against oxidation. Aluminum produces excellent thin rolled products, foil, and profiles of any shape using pressing and other types of pressure processing. They create from it different types wires used in electrical equipment.
Aluminum, like iron, is very rarely used in its pure form. To give them the desired useful qualities, small amounts (no more than 1%) of other elements, called alloying elements, are added in production. In this way, alloys of iron, aluminum and other metals are obtained.

Physical parameters of aluminum alloys

Aluminum alloys have a density that differs slightly from the density of pure metal (2.7 g/cm3). It ranges from 2.65 g/cm3 for the AMg6 alloy to 2.85 g/cm3 for the V95 alloy.
The alloying procedure has almost no effect on the elastic modulus and shear modulus. For example, the modulus of elasticity of strengthened duralumin D16T is almost the same as the modulus of elasticity of pure metal A5 (E = 7100 kgf/mm2). However, due to the fact that the maximum fluidity of the alloys is several units higher than the maximum fluidity of pure aluminum, aluminum alloys can already be used as a structural material with different levels of loads (it all depends on the brand of the alloy and its condition).
Due to the low density index, the specific values ​​of the maximum strength, maximum fluidity and elastic modulus (the corresponding parameters divided by the density value) for strong aluminum alloys can be compared with the same specific values ​​for steel and titanium alloys. This makes it possible for aluminum alloys with high strength to compete with steel and titanium, but only up to temperatures not exceeding 200 C.
Most aluminum alloys have worse electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and weldability compared to pure aluminum.
It is known that alloys with a higher degree of alloying are characterized by significantly lower electrical and thermal conductivity. These indicators are directly dependent on the state of the alloy.
The best corrosion properties of aluminum alloys are observed in the alloys AMts, AMg, AD31, and the worst are observed in the high-strength alloys D16, V95, AK. In addition, the corrosion performance of heat-strengthened alloys largely depends on the quenching and aging regime. For example, alloy D16 is most often used in a naturally aged state. However, at temperatures above 80°C, its corrosion indicators are significantly reduced and for use in conditions more high temperatures artificial aging is often used.
AMts and Amg alloys lend themselves well to all types of welding. During the welding process of cold-worked steel, annealing is carried out in the area of ​​the weld seam; for this reason, the strength of the seam is equal to the strength of the base material in the annealed state.

Types of aluminum alloys

Today the production of aluminum alloys is very developed. There are two types of aluminum alloys:

• deformable, from which they create sheets, pipes, profiles, packages, stampings
• foundries from which shaped casting is carried out.

The widespread use of aluminum alloys is due to their properties. Such alloys are very popular in aviation, automotive, shipbuilding and other areas of the national economy.
Non-hardening alloys Al - Mn (AMts) and Al - Mg (AMg) are corrosion-resistant materials from which gas tanks, oil tanks, and ship hulls are made.
Hardenable Al - Mg - Si alloys (AB, AD31, AD33) are used to create blades and parts for helicopter cabins and seaplane wheel drums.
An alloy of aluminum and copper - duralumin or duralumin. The alloy with silicon is called silumin. An alloy with manganese - AMts has increased corrosion resistance. Elements such as Ni, Ti, Cr, Fe in the alloy help to increase the heat resistance of the alloys, inhibit the diffusion process, and the presence of lithium and beryllium increases the elastic modulus.
Heat-resistant aluminum alloys of the Al - Cu - Mn (D20, D21) and Al - Cu - Mg - Fe - Ni (AK - 4 - 1) systems are used to create pistons, cylinder heads, disks, compressor blades and other parts that need to function at temperatures up to 300°C. Heat resistance can be achieved by alloying Ni, Fe, Ti, (D20, D21, AK - 4 - 1).
Cast aluminum alloys are used to create castings. These are the alloys Al - Si (silumin), Al - Cu (duralumin), Al - Mg (Amg). Among silumins, it is worth noting the alloys Al - Si (AL - 2), Al - Si - Mg (AL - 4, AL - 9, AL - 34), strengthened by heat treatment. Silumins lend themselves well to casting, as well as cutting and welding; they can also be anodized and even impregnated with varnishes.
High-strength and heat-resistant cast alloys of the Al - Cu - Mn (AL - 19), Al - Cu - Mn - Ni (AL - 33), Al - Si - Cu - Mg (AL - 3, AL - 5) systems. Those that have undergone an alloying process with chromium, nickel, chlorine or zinc can withstand temperatures up to 300°C. They are used to create pistons, block heads, and cylinders.
Sintered aluminum powder (SAP) is produced by pressing aluminum powder (700 MPa) at a temperature of 500 to 600°C. SAP is characterized by increased strength and heat resistance levels up to 500°C.

Aluminum alloy grades

Certain characteristics of aluminum alloys correspond to specific grades of these alloys. Recognized international and national standards (formerly there were German DIN, and today European EN, American ASTM and international ISO), as well as Russian GOSTs, consider pure aluminum and its alloys separately. According to these documents, pure aluminum is divided into grades, and not into alloys.
All grades of aluminum are divided into:

• high purity aluminum (99.95%)
• technical aluminum containing about 1% impurities or additives.

The EN 573-3 standard defines different purity versions of aluminum, for example, “aluminium EN AW 1050A”, and aluminum alloys, for example, “alloy EN AW 6060”. At the same time, aluminum is often called an alloy, for example, “aluminum alloy 1050A”.
In Russian standards, for example, in the document GOST 4784-97 “Aluminium and wrought aluminum alloys” and other documents on aluminum and aluminum alloys, instead of the term “designation” the similar term “grade” is used, only in the English equivalent “grade”. According to existing standards, you need to use phrases like “AD0 grade aluminum” and “AD31 grade aluminum alloy.”
However, often the term “grade” is used only for aluminum, and aluminum alloys are simply called “aluminum alloys” without any brands, for example, “AD31 aluminum alloy”.
Sometimes people confuse the term "brand" with the term "labeling". GOST 2.314-68 defines the term marking as a set of signs characterizing a product, for example, designation, code, batch (series) number, production date, company trademark. In this case, the brand is an installation or transport designation. Therefore, the alloy designation or grade is just a small part of the marking, not the marking itself.
The grade of aluminum or alloy is applied to one of the ends of the ingot or pig. Using indelible paint, colored stripes are applied, which serve as markings. For example, according to GOST 11069-2001, A995 grade aluminum is marked with four green vertical stripes.
According to the document GOST 11069-2001, aluminum grades are designated by numbers after the decimal point in the percentage of aluminum: A999, A995, A99, A85, A8, A7, A6, A5 and A0. At the same time, the purest aluminum is A999, which contains 99.999% aluminum. It is used for laboratory experiments. In the industrial sector, aluminum of high purity is used - from 99.95 to 99.995% and technical purity - from 99.0 to 99.85%.

Introduction

1. Aluminum

2. Aluminum alloys

Conclusion

Introduction

Aluminum is a chemical element of the third group of the periodic table of elements D.I. Mendeleev. Its serial number is 13, atomic mass is 26.98.

Aluminum is a metal whose consumption areas are constantly expanding. In a number of industrial areas, it successfully replaces traditionally used metals and alloys. The rapid development of aluminum consumption is due to its remarkable properties, among which, first of all, are high strength combined with low density, satisfactory corrosion resistance, good ability to be shaped by casting, pressure and cutting; the ability to connect aluminum parts in various structures using welding, soldering, gluing and other methods; ability to apply protective and decorative coatings.

All this, combined with large reserves of aluminum in the earth’s crust, makes the prospects for the development of aluminum production and consumption very broad.

Nowadays, it is difficult to find an industry where aluminum or its alloys are used - from microelectronics to heavy metallurgy. This is due to good mechanical properties, lightness, low melting point, which facilitates processing, and high external qualities, especially after special processing. Considering the listed and many other physical and chemical properties of aluminum, its inexhaustible amount in the earth’s crust, we can say that aluminum is one of the most promising materials of the future.

aluminum alloy chemical element

1. Aluminum

Aluminum is a relatively young metal. Its name comes from the Latin word ALUMEN - so 500 BC. called aluminum alum, which was used for etching when dyeing fabrics and tanning leather.

Aluminum as an element was discovered in 1825, when the first small lumps of this metal were obtained. The beginning of its industrial development dates back to the end of the 19th century - after the discovery of the technology for its production by electrolysis of alumina dissolved in molten cryolite. This principle underlies the modern industrial extraction of aluminum from alumina in all countries of the world.

In Russia, the famous chemist N.N. worked on the technology for producing aluminum in the second half of the last century. Beketov, whose work was used by the Germans who built the first aluminum plant in Gmelingin. The first aluminum smelter in our country was put into operation in 1932. Based on the Volkhov hydroelectric station. The construction of the Dnieper hydroelectric station made it possible to launch it in 1933. second aluminum smelter. Development of the electric power complex in the 60-70s. made it possible to build a large number of powerful aluminum smelters and take a leading place in the global aluminum market.

Aluminum is a silvery-white ductile metal. In the air, it quickly becomes covered with an oxide film, which protects it from corrosion. Aluminum is chemically resistant to nitric and organic acids, but is destroyed by alkalis, as well as hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. The most important property aluminum - low density, it is three times lighter than iron. The mechanical properties of aluminum are low: tensile strength - 5-9 kgf/mm ², relative elongation - 25-45%. The high ductility (achieved by annealing at temperatures of 350-410°C) of this metal allows it to be rolled into very thin sheets, for example, foil can have a thickness of up to 0.005 mm. Aluminum welds well, but is difficult to cut. To increase strength, silicon, manganese, copper and other components are introduced into aluminum. Significant natural reserves of aluminum, its low density, high anti-corrosion properties, and good electrical conductivity have contributed to the widespread use of this metal in various branches of technology. Aluminum and its alloys are used in aircraft and mechanical engineering, in the construction of buildings and power lines, and in many industries. Various containers and fittings for the chemical industry are made from it; packaging foil made of aluminum and its alloys is used in the food industry (for wrapping confectionery and dairy products). Aluminum cookware has received wide recognition. Aluminum is well suited to various thin coatings and painting, so it is also used as a decorative material.

2. Aluminum alloys

All grades of aluminum contain more than 99% pure aluminum. Depending on the chemical composition it is divided into aluminum of special, high and technical frequency, designated by the letter A and a number showing tenths and hundredths of a percent after 99%, for example, A85 - contains 99.85% aluminum.

Duralumin is an alloy of aluminum with copper (2.2-5.2%), magnesium (2-2.7%) and manganese (0.2-1.0%). It is subjected to hardening in water after heating to a temperature of about 500°C and hardening aging. In terms of its mechanical properties, it approaches medium-carbon steels. It is used mainly in the form of various rolled products - sheets, angles, pipes, etc. As a structural material, it is used for transport and aviation engineering.

Silumin is an alloy of aluminum and silicon, has good casting properties, is soft, and is used for the manufacture of non-critical parts by casting and pressure. In addition to aluminum and silicon (10-13%), this alloy includes: iron (0.2-0.7%), manganese (0.05-0.5%), calcium (0.07-0.2%) , titanium (0.05-0.2%), copper (0.03%) and zinc (0.08%). Alloys of aluminum with zinc and magnesium can be used.

Most metal elements are alloyed with aluminum, but only a few of them play the role of major alloying components in industrial aluminum alloys. However, a significant number of elements are used as additives to improve the properties of alloys. The most widely used:

Beryllium is added to reduce oxidation during elevated temperatures. Small additions of beryllium (0.01 - 0.05%) are used in aluminum casting alloys to improve fluidity in the production of engine parts internal combustion(pistons and cylinder heads).

Boron is introduced to increase electrical conductivity and as a refining additive. Boron is introduced into aluminum alloys used in nuclear energy (except for reactor parts), because it absorbs neutrons, preventing the spread of radiation. Boron is introduced in an average amount of 0.095 - 0.1%.

Bismuth. Metals with low melting points such as bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium are introduced into aluminum alloys to improve machinability. These elements form soft, fusible phases that contribute to chip brittleness and cutter lubrication. Gallium is added in an amount of 0.01 - 0.1% to the alloys, from which consumable anodes are then made.

Iron. It is introduced in small quantities (0.04%) in the production of wires to increase strength and improve creep characteristics. Iron also reduces adhesion to the walls of molds when casting in a chill mold.

Indium. An addition of 0.05 - 0.2% strengthens aluminum alloys during aging, especially with low copper content. Indium additives are used in aluminum-cadmium bearing alloys.

Approximately 0.3% cadmium is introduced to increase the strength and improve the corrosion properties of the alloys. Calcium imparts plasticity. With a calcium content of 5%, the alloy has the effect of superplasticity.

Silicon is the most used additive in foundry alloys. In an amount of 0.5 - 4% it reduces the tendency to cracking. The combination of silicon and magnesium makes it possible to heat seal the alloy.

Magnesium. The addition of magnesium significantly increases strength without reducing ductility, increases weldability and increases the corrosion resistance of the alloy.

Copper strengthens alloys, maximum strengthening is achieved with a copper content of 4 - 6%. Copper alloys are used in the production of pistons for internal combustion engines and high-quality cast aircraft parts. Tin improves cutting performance.

Titanium. The main task of titanium in alloys is to refine the grain in castings and ingots, which greatly increases the strength and uniformity of properties throughout the entire volume.

Although aluminum is considered one of the least noble industrial metals, it is quite stable in many oxidizing environments. The reason for this behavior is the presence of a continuous oxide film on the surface of aluminum, which immediately forms again on the cleaned areas when exposed to oxygen, water and other oxidizing agents.

In most cases, melting is carried out in air. If interaction with air is limited to the formation of compounds insoluble in the melt on the surface and the resulting film of these compounds significantly slows down further interaction, then usually no measures are taken to suppress such interaction. In this case, smelting is carried out in direct contact of the melt with the atmosphere. This is done in the preparation of most aluminum, zinc, tin-lead alloys.

The space in which the alloy melting process takes place is limited by a refractory lining capable of withstanding temperatures of 1500 - 1800C. All smelting processes involve the gas phase, which is formed during fuel combustion, interacting with environment and the lining of the melting unit.

3. Application of aluminum and its alloys

Currently, aluminum and its alloys are used in almost all areas of modern technology. The most important consumers of aluminum and its alloys are the aviation and automotive industries, railway and water transport, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and instrument making, industrial and civil engineering, chemical industry, production of consumer goods.

Most aluminum alloys have high corrosion resistance in the natural atmosphere, sea water, solutions of many salts and chemicals, and in most foods. Aluminum alloy structures are often used in seawater. Marine buoys, lifeboats, ships, barges have been built from aluminum alloys since 1930. Currently, the length of ship hulls made from aluminum alloys reaches 61 m. There is experience in aluminum underground pipelines; aluminum alloys are highly resistant to soil corrosion. In 1951, a 2.9 km pipeline was built in Alaska. After 30 years of operation, not a single leak or serious damage due to corrosion has been detected.

Aluminum is used in large quantities in construction in the form of cladding panels, doors, window frames, and electrical cables. Aluminum alloys are not subject to severe corrosion over a long period of time when in contact with concrete, mortar, or plaster, especially if the structures are not frequently wet. With frequent wetness, if the surface of aluminum products has not been additionally treated, it can darken, even blackening in industrial cities with a high content of oxidizing agents in the air. To avoid this, special alloys are produced to obtain shiny surfaces by shiny anodizing - applying an oxide film to the metal surface. In this case, the surface can be given many colors and shades. For example, alloys of aluminum and silicon make it possible to obtain a range of shades, from gray to black. Alloys of aluminum and chromium have a golden color.

Given the high resistance of aluminum to oxidation, the powder is used as a pigment in coatings for painting equipment, roofs, printing paper, and shiny surfaces of car panels. Steel and cast iron products are also coated with a layer of aluminum to prevent corrosion.

In terms of scale of application, aluminum and its alloys occupy second place after iron (Fe) and its alloys. The widespread use of aluminum in various fields of technology and everyday life is associated with the combination of its physical, mechanical and chemical properties: low density, corrosion resistance in atmospheric air, high thermal and electrical conductivity, ductility and relatively high strength. Aluminum is easily processed in various ways - forging, stamping, rolling, etc. Pure aluminum is used to make wire (the electrical conductivity of aluminum is 65.5% of the electrical conductivity of copper, but aluminum is more than three times lighter than copper, so aluminum often replaces copper in electrical engineering) and foil used as packaging material. The main part of the smelted aluminum is spent on producing various alloys. Protective and decorative coatings are easily applied to the surfaces of aluminum alloys.

The variety of properties of aluminum alloys is due to the introduction of various additives into aluminum that form with it solid solutions or intermetallic compounds. The bulk of aluminum is used to produce light alloys - duralumin (94% aluminum, 4% copper (Cu), 0.5% each magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and silicon (Si)), silumin (85-90% - aluminum, 10-14% silicon (Si), 0.1% sodium (Na)), etc. In metallurgy, aluminum is used not only as a base for alloys, but also as one of the widely used alloying additives in alloys based on copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), >nickel (Ni), etc.

Aluminum alloys are widely used in everyday life, in construction and architecture, in the automotive industry, shipbuilding, aviation and space technology. In particular, the first artificial Earth satellite was made from aluminum alloy. An alloy of aluminum and zirconium (Zr) - widely used in nuclear reactor construction. Aluminum is used in the production of explosives. When handling aluminum in everyday life, you need to keep in mind that only neutral (acidity) liquids can be heated and stored in aluminum containers (for example, boil water). If, for example, you cook sour cabbage soup in an aluminum pan, then the aluminum passes into the food and it acquires an unpleasant “metallic” taste. Since the oxide film is very easily damaged in everyday life, the use of aluminum cookware is still undesirable.

The use of aluminum and its alloys in all types of transport, and primarily air transport, has made it possible to solve the problem of reducing its own (“dead”) mass Vehicle and dramatically increase the efficiency of their use. Aircraft structures, engines, blocks, cylinder heads, crankcases, and gearboxes are made from aluminum and its alloys. Aluminum and its alloys are used to trim railway cars, make the hulls and chimneys of ships, rescue boats, radar masts, and gangways. Aluminum and its alloys are widely used in the electrical industry for the manufacture of cables, busbars, capacitors, and AC rectifiers. In instrument making, aluminum and its alloys are used in the production of film and photographic equipment, radiotelephone equipment, and various control and measuring instruments. Due to its high corrosion resistance and non-toxicity, aluminum is widely used in the manufacture of equipment for the production and storage of strong nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, organic substances and food products. Aluminum foil, being stronger and cheaper than tin, has completely replaced it as a packaging material for food products. Aluminum is increasingly used in the manufacture of containers for canning and storing agricultural products, for the construction of granaries and other prefabricated structures. Being one of the most important strategic metals, aluminum, like its alloys, is widely used in the construction of aircraft, tanks, artillery, missiles, incendiaries, as well as for other purposes in military equipment.

High-purity aluminum is widely used in new fields of technology - nuclear energy, semiconductor electronics, radar, as well as for protecting metal surfaces from various chemicals and atmospheric corrosion. The high reflectivity of such aluminum is used to make heating and lighting reflectors and mirrors from its reflective surfaces. In the metallurgical industry, aluminum is used as a reducing agent in the production of a number of metals (for example, chromium, calcium, manganese) by aluminothermic methods, for deoxidation of steel, and welding of steel parts.

Aluminum and its alloys are widely used in industrial and civil construction for the manufacture of building frames, trusses, window frames, stairs, etc. In Canada, for example, aluminum consumption for these purposes is about 30% of total consumption, in the USA - more than 20%. In terms of scale of production and importance in the economy, aluminum has firmly taken first place among other non-ferrous metals.

Conclusion

Aluminum production will grow in countries where there is access to cheap sources of electricity, bauxite and developed infrastructure. Russia is one of the most attractive countries for energy-intensive industries (according to CRU data), as well as in terms of production costs. It is assumed that the implementation of Russian projects will increase aluminum production by 2015 to 5.39-5.743 million tons, that is, 1.3-1.4 times.

It is already difficult to find an industry that does not use aluminum or its alloys - from microelectronics to heavy metallurgy. This is due to good mechanical properties, lightness, low melting point, which facilitates processing, and high external qualities, especially after special processing. Considering the listed and many other physical and chemical properties of aluminum, its inexhaustible amount in the earth’s crust, we can say that aluminum is one of the most promising materials of the future.

Having studied the areas of application of aluminum and its alloys, the following conclusions can be drawn:

The combination of properties (low density (2.7 g/cm3), relatively high strength characteristics, good thermal and electrical conductivity, manufacturability, high corrosion resistance) of aluminum and its large natural reserves make it possible to classify aluminum as one of the most important technical materials.

It is already difficult to find an industry that does not use aluminum or its alloys - from microelectronics to heavy metallurgy.

List of used literature

1.Bagrov, N.M. Fundamentals of industry technologies [Text] textbook / N.M. Bagrov, - St. Petersburg: Publishing house of St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Economics, 2006, - 251 p.

2.Gorynin, I.V. Aluminum alloys. Application of aluminum alloys [Text] reference guide / I.V. Gorynin, M.: 1978, p. 145.

.3. Klyuchnikov, N.G. Aluminum [Text] textbook / N.G. Klyuchnikov, A.F. Kolodtsev, M.: 2001, p.67.

4.4.

Nowadays, the world produces more than 50 million tons of aluminum per year, for example, in 2008, according to the American Aluminum Association - 53 million tons.

• Where is all this going?
• In what industries is it used?
• Where do we encounter it in everyday life?

Consumption in industry and life

The figure below shows eight industrial and construction sectors in which aluminum is being used particularly heavily. The percentage shares of various industrial sectors in total consumption are presented according to statistics from the International Aluminum Institute for 2007. Since then, I think the picture as a whole has not changed, and these data are quite relevant.

Application of aluminum in finished industrial products

The main industries that actively use aluminum are:

• Construction
• Product packaging
• Electrical industry
• Transport engineering
• Manufacturing of machinery and equipment
• Production of goods for everyday life
• Powder metallurgy
• Deoxidation of steel in ferrous metallurgy