Aluminum is a metal with many unique characteristics, including good corrosion resistance, high conductivity, strength, and light weight. These unique qualities make aluminum ideal for many common uses across a range of industries. But what is aluminum used for? From auto manufacturing and spacecraft to consumer goods, electronics, and more, aluminum has an incredible range of applications.
The metal finishing pros at Polished Metals are taking a closer look at aluminum and its use cases in today’s blog post.
Properties of Aluminum
Before diving into the industries and common uses of aluminum, let’s look at why this metal is so broadly used worldwide. Its important properties include the following:
- Lightweight – By volume, aluminum is around a third the weight of stainless steel. This means it’s easier to handle and transport, and it can result in a lower overall weight for structures and products made from this material.
- Strong – On the other hand, aluminum is quite strong despite its lighter weight. This blend of strength and weight makes it ideal for a range of situations.
- Corrosion Resistant – Aluminum does not rust, and instead forms a natural thin oxide layer that protects it from many forms of corrosion.
- Highly Workable – Aluminum is one of the most malleable and ductile metals in common use, making it ideal for forming detailed shapes.
- Aesthetic – Taking well to a wide range of finishes, especially mirror finishes, polished aluminum is frequently used for decorative purposes.
Common Uses for Aluminum
Auto Industry
The auto industry is one of the biggest consumers of aluminum, using this metal for many car parts including both bodies and frames. As will be a common theme, aluminum is favored for its excellent strength in relation to its relatively light weight, enabling vehicles to be safe, fuel efficient, and easy to manufacture.
In addition to its practical benefits, aluminum may also be highly polished for decorative car and semi truck parts.
Aerospace
Whether for planes or spacecraft, aerospace manufacturing carries very stringent demands that are difficult for most metals to meet. Once again, however, aluminum and its various alloys provide the perfect blend of strength and light weight to enable various airborne vehicles to get off the ground safely.
Architecture & Design
Aluminum is also a major player in the architecture and design space for both interior and exterior applications. Aluminum is commonly used as roofing, for interior and exterior cladding, door frames and trim, railings, and much more.
Its combination of light weight, strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic properties all make it a highly functional and beautiful metal for building projects.
Artwork
When it comes to pure aesthetics, aluminum is also a popular choice for artwork and ornamentation. This is also an instance where its superior workability matters as well, as artists are able to more easily form intricate shapes and patterns when working with aluminum.
Electrical Work
While not as conductive as copper, aluminum is a highly conductive metal. Although it isn’t generally used within homes, aluminum wiring is common in industrial settings and for long-range power lines, such as the ones you may see on roadsides every day.
HVAC Systems
Heating and air conditioning systems require large amounts of metal for ductwork, and aluminum is typically the first choice (alongside specialized types of steel). With excellent forming characteristics, aluminum can easily be conformed to the shapes required to transport air into, out of, and throughout buildings.
Consumer Goods
Finally, aluminum is one of the most commonly seen metals when it comes to consumer goods. If you’re wondering “What is aluminum used for?,” the answer is a very long list of products that you may see every day, including:
- Soda cans
- Electronic devices (smartphones, laptops)
- Kitchen foil
- Utensils
- Various metal fasteners
It’s difficult to list out all the ways this metal is used, but if it’s an application where “lightweight and strong” is ideal, aluminum is likely the solution.
Polished Metals: Finished Aluminum for All Its Uses
Aluminum is an incredibly versatile metal that industries and people around the world depend on every day. At Polished Metals, our team is highly experienced when it comes to finishing aluminum across all use cases, from the common everyday uses to the highly specialized applications like aerospace manufacturing.
With a fully equipped metal finishing facility and a commitment to maintaining quality from start to finish, we’ll ensure your entire order is above and beyond quality standards—and finished according to your timeline and needs.
For all your aluminum polishing projects, Polished Metals is here to be your one-stop solution. Reach out today for a quote!