Aluminum is the third most abundant element found in the Earth’s crust, after iron and nickel.Aluminum is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a light silver-white metal that possesses properties similar to those of both precious metals and base metals.The word aluminum comes from the word ‘alum’, which in turn comes from ‘alumen’, an old name for a particular type of clay used by people to clean things before alternatives were invented. A chemical reaction with that clay can produce aluminum oxide. Aluminum is a metal that can be found everywhere. From cars to cans, it is one of the most valuable elements that can be mined from the earth and then processed into different metals. It is one of the most commonly used metal alloys because it has a low melting point and is non-toxic. It has no taste or smell and can withstand a lot of pressure and heat. Transparent aluminum is made by bombarding the aluminum surface with soft X-ray lasers. Here are some things you might not know about this valuable metal!If you are looking for more cool facts, then make sure to take a look at how is bacon made and how is balsamic vinegar made.How is aluminum foil made?Today, we have an aluminum-based economy that gives us benefits such as cost-saving, energy efficiency, and even clean water. So what does this mean? The more you know about aluminum, the more you can understand how this element will impact your life.Aluminum foil and cans are not made with a pure form of aluminum metal, rather it is produced from alloys of aluminum. Aluminum foil is made with an aluminum alloy containing around 92-99% aluminum and other alloying materials. Aluminum is one of the most widely used metallic elements on Earth. Aluminum foils are prominently used for various packaging purposes. Aluminum has many uses, including in cars, planes, and buildings. But how is aluminum extracted from its ore? Well, it depends on the type of aluminum ore that you are trying to extract. The two main types are bauxite and cryolite.Aluminum can be found in aluminum dust, clay, rocks, and soil. Aluminum is mostly extracted using bauxite ore. Bauxite is called aluminum ore because it contains a lot of aluminum. The refining process can take up to two months to complete. The final product of this process is an ingot of aluminum that usually weighs over 2500 lb (1.1 metric tons). In a nutshell, 4 tons (3629 kg) of bauxite produces 2 tons (1814 kg) of aluminum. Aluminum can be extracted by electrolysis or by the Bayer process and Hall Héroult Process. Bauxite contains almost 30-70% of alumina or aluminum oxide, while the remaining portion contains impurities, mud, and sand (gangue).Firstly, the aluminum is extracted from the ore, and then they are transformed into sheets. Here is how aluminum is extracted, and then foils are made. Karl Joseph Bayer invented the Bayer process in 1861 for extracting alumina from bauxite ore. The other aluminum extraction method is the Hall Héroult process. Charles Martin Hall and Paul Héroult invented it in 1886 for extracting aluminum from its ore, bauxite. In Bayer Process, the primary focus is to discard the water molecules and many other impurities present in the bauxite ore. Bayer’s process mainly includes the concentration of ore (removal of water molecules) that converts bauxite into alumina.Crude bauxite ore is crushed and then treated with hot and concentrated caustic soda solution in a tank called a digester. The concoction of caustic soda and bauxite is treated under high pressure and heat of around 284-302 F (140-150 C) for almost two to eight hours. Aluminum oxide being amphoteric in nature dissolves in aqueous sodium hydroxide or caustic soda resulting in the formation of water-soluble sodium aluminate. This process dissolves silica and alumina in an aqueous sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), leaving behind undissolved iron oxide (red mud) in the solution.The iron or ferrous oxide (red mud) can be separated through filtration. The filtrate containing sodium aluminate and silicate is diluted with water and then cooled to 122 F (50 C). This gives a gelatinous precipitate of aluminum hydroxide, leaving behind sodium silicate in the solution. This precipitate obtained is filtered, washed, dried, and ignited at 1832 F (1000 C) until it becomes molten. Any gases dissolved in the liquid slurry escape into the atmosphere to get a pure form of alumina.The further reduction of alumina to pure aluminum is made by electrolytic refining. Hall Héroult Process involves the smelting process of aluminum by dissolving alumina into molten cryolite. A steel tank lined with carbon and graphite is used as the cathode, and rods of carbon and graphite as the anode. Electric current (electricity) is passed in order to complete the reduction process.Cryolite and fluorspar are added into the alumina causing the melting point of alumina to drop below 1832 F (1000 C). Then molten salt is introduced into the system, which dissolves any aluminum oxide present in alumina, converting it to pure aluminum. The aluminum obtained at the cathode is heavier than the electrolyte used. The liquid molten aluminum sinks to the bottom of the tank, where it is removed periodically. Oxygen is liberated at the anode, and these oxygen atoms combine with carbon atoms in the anode to form carbon dioxide. The depleted anode is to be replaced from time to time.How is an aluminum can made?Hans Christian Oersted first discovered aluminum in 1825, he wanted to produce an alloy for use as a new type of mirror, but his discovery of aluminum has changed everything. Here’s how aluminum cans are made.Aluminum is an excellent material. It is lightweight, doesn’t rust, and is good for the environment in that it is recyclable. Aluminum cans are made with bauxite by turning bauxite into anodized aluminum. Further on, the shaping of the material is done by melting and casting aluminum. The metallic material can then be refined to create any product.How is billet aluminum made?Aluminum is a very popular metal for manufacturing. Learn more about the processing of billet aluminum, raw materials used, production process, impurities, reduction, alloying, and much more.Aluminum billets are made from bauxite, a mineral that is found in large quantities around the world. The bauxite is mined and then heated until it melts into a liquid aluminum oxide which can be purified into aluminum metal. Aluminum billets can be made from remelted, recycled, or primary aluminum. Basically, the production of billets is done by mixing raw aluminum with other minerals, and then it undergoes smelting. The impurities are discarded, and then it gets recast as billets by putting an intense amount of pressure.How is aluminum oxide made?Aluminum is one of the most common metals in the world, with 92% of it produced for industry use. You may be wondering why aluminum is so important in the world. Read on to learn more about this metal’s occurrence in nature, reduction, and processing.Cryolite and bauxite ore are a few common minerals that are extracted from the Earth’s crust. Pure aluminum does not occur in nature just because it is a highly reactive metal, so aluminum easily combines with oxygen (forms alumina) or any other element. Aluminum is extracted from its ore that is mined from the earth. Mainly the raw materials of aluminum metal would be bauxite as predominantly bauxite is used for the extraction of pure aluminum. However, aluminum oxide is made by washing/combining bauxite with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).How is an aluminum alloy made?If you want to explore the alloying technique of aluminum, here’s how aluminum alloys are made.Alloying is the process of adding some other metal to the existing pure metal in order to increase its tendency. Therefore, aluminum foil, can, aircraft, and all other things made up of aluminum use aluminum alloys. However, the aluminum alloys used might be different in each application. Aluminum foil is produced by thinning aluminum alloy into thin sheets.Aluminum is used in food, power, automobile, and aeronautical industries as well. Various alloying techniques include 1xxx (99% aluminum), 2xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, and 5xxx. Alloying is done with other elements such as magnesium, copper, nickel, manganese, tin, bronze, zinc, and silicon.Aluminum alloys are also used to make utensils, decorative showpieces, and pots as their surface is corrosion resistant. Aluminum is a vital metal with a wide range of uses, from cookware and food packaging to transportation and architecture. It is also used in foil, paint and can be found in many other everyday items. It has excellent thermal conductivity, malleability, and low density.Did You Know…Since years ago, aluminum has been known to exist in bauxite, but it was not until the 19th century when industrial extraction and refining of this metal became possible. But do you know what its properties are? What makes aluminum so awesome? If you want to learn more about aluminum, here are some cool applications of this metal.Aluminum has a high melting temperature and a low density. It’s been used for thousands of years, from pots and pans to airplanes. Over 60% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today. In addition to being inexpensive, metallic aluminum is also recyclable and sustainable. Aluminum is a primary part of our everyday lives. Aluminum is very ductile and has high corrosion resistance.Moreover, it is a great conductor and conducts electricity (electric current) easily, which is why it is are often used in the power industry to make electric lines and wires. Aluminum compounds are used in industry labs as a catalyst, and molten aluminum is used as electrolytes. Aluminum compounds (solution) are often used by a chemist and are added in several medicines as well.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘Do You Know: How Is Aluminum Made? Cool Metal Facts For Kids,’ then why not take a look at ‘Why Do We Have Baby Teeth?, Interesting Teeth Facts To Know!’ or ‘Curious Pet Cat Fact To Know: How Often Do Cats Poop?’.
Aluminum is the third most abundant element found in the Earth’s crust, after iron and nickel.
