Aluminum, thanks to its physical properties and the fact that it is a 100 percent recyclable metal, is conquering various industries. That is why we can find it in cars, airplanes, buildings, and even furniture.
Recycled aluminumis the second most widely used metal in the world by theindustrial sectorand is a key material for the sustainable future of the planet.
In addition to its many qualities and physical benefits, aluminum isinfinitely recyclable, which is why its use is spreading to more industries every day and is expected to be used even more in the coming years.
Currently, aluminum is used in themanufacture of light-weight vehicles, in the construction of more energy-efficientbuildings,aircraft, and evenfurniture.
The unmatched advantages of aluminum make it anideal materialfor a wide variety ofindustries, such as shipbuilding, automotive, construction, andaerospace, achieving optimal results in all of them thanks to its versatility, which gives it the ability to adapt to the requirements of each sector in terms of manufacturing and appearance.
For example, in the automotive sector, theintelligent use of aluminumcan generate savings of around 300 kilograms in amedium-sized vehicle, which in turn reducesfuel consumption.
For this reason, it is very common to incorporate aluminum alloys intothesuspensioncomponentsof cars and SUVs, maximizing theirstrength and, in some cases, replacing heavier parts made of steel.
This is how we can find the material in the car's chassis, bodywork, electrical wiring, transmission, alloy wheels, condensers, pistons, and radiators.
Aluminum alloys are present in allelectric car platformsandcargo transport boxes.
The automotive industry will continue to take advantage of aluminum as it seeksto lighten its vehiclesby around 300 kilograms by 2030, while for trucks the goal is approximately 385 kilograms.
Pillar of aviation
Aluminum has played a key role in the development ofaviation, as it was present in the first flight in history in 1903, in the Wright brothers' airplane. The aircraft had a four-cylinder, 12-horsepower automatic engine modified with an aluminum block to reduce weight.
Aluminum quickly began to replace steel and wood, and in 1920 the first airplane made entirely of this material was built.
Aluminum alloys can achieve extraordinary strength, withstanding the pressures and stresses involved in flight.
One of the properties of aluminum is itsresistance to corrosion, which is a great advantage forairlines, so some of them do not paint their aircraft in order to save weight.
In addition, many elements of the aircraft's interior are made from this material to save weight and, therefore,fuel and emissions. Aluminum has become the most widely used material in aircraft, accounting for up to 80 percent of an aircraft's unloaded weight.
