By Marci Glover


Aluminium is a chemical element grouped under the boron group. It is also spelt as aluminium and its chemical symbol is Al while the atomic number is 13. Physical properties include silvery color, softness, and considerable ductility. Aluminium has high abundance in terms of the composition of the crust of the earth and it comes third after oxygen and silicon. Aluminum in NJ does not occur in its native form because it is highly reactive.

Under natural circumstances, the ore is found in combination with over 270 other minerals. The primary ore is bauxite. The most remarkable properties of the element are the low density and high resistance to corrosion. The low density is very important in making aircrafts and structural materials. Rusting is not a problem in this element making it very useful in many industries.

There are numerous ways in which aluminium is produced in NJ. The main one is called the Hall-Heroult process. Others include indirect carbothermic reduction and the electrolytic smelting of alumina. Although still under development, indirect carbothermic reduction is proving to be very effective. It generates less Carbon (II) Oxide gas while consuming less power when compared to Hall-Heroult process.

Hall-Heroult process requires alumina to be dissolved into molten calcium fluoride with cryolite. After completely dissolving, aluminium ions are released into the electrolyte to move freely. Electrolytic means are then used to reduce the resultant compound into aluminium. For this reduction to happen, the temperatures must be kept in the range of 950 and 980 degrees Centigrade. Aluminium ions undergo reduction depositing the metal at the bottom. Hall-Heroult process took the place for the Wohler process. Wohler process used potassium metal to reduce anhydrous aluminum chloride into aluminum.

This method consumes a lot of energy, but it continues to be used because it is the most economically and ecologically viable solution. The metal is one hundred percent recyclable and it does not lose its properties when recycled. Recycling became an important activity in NJ in the late 1960s due to increased use in beverage cans. The process of recycling involves melting the scrap to form the metal and dross. Dross can be processed further to extract the element.

The recycled form is known as secondary aluminum although its applications and properties and those of the primary aluminium are similar. To make the mechanical characteristics of the metal better, it is used as an alloy in most cases. The alloys sometimes comprise of manganese, copper, magnesium, silicon, and zinc. Main application is in the construction of transport vessels like railway cars, aircrafts, marine vessels, and trucks.

Other applications are in industries like packaging, construction, household items, lighting, engineering, insulation, electronics, and power distribution among others. Hydrogen gas can also be produced by reacting the metal with sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid. The powdered form is also an important additive in paints, thermite, and solid rocket fuels. Some countries issue currencies that are products of aluminium or its alloys.

Studies do not reveal any serious health concerns related with the element. However, if consumed in large amounts, it may cause neurotoxicity and other conditions. Some people are also allergic and may experience digestive disorders, contact dermatitis, and vomiting when they come in contact with it.




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