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Imagine a world without aluminium. There would be no commercial air travel. It makes a key contribution to fuel-efficient engines in cars and trucks as well as to high speed rail and sea travel. It facilitates the construction of corrosion-resistant and low maintenance cost buildings. Aluminium in packaging preserves food quality and avoids waste, and its low weight reduces fuel consumption and emissions during transportation. Around the world, most high voltage overhead transmission and distribution lines over long distances are made of aluminium.
Aluminium Use by Product
Aluminium in the Air - The commercial aviation industry would never have succeeded without aluminium. The Wright brothers' first aeroplane, which flew in 1903, had a four-cylinder, 12-horsepower auto engine modified with a 30-pound aluminium block to reduce weight. Strong aluminium alloys take the extraordinary pressures and stresses involved in high altitude flying. Wafer thin aluminium panels keep the cold out and the air in. Today, there are around 5,300 commercial passenger aircraft flying in the world. Aluminium comprises about 80 per cent of an aircraft's unladen weight. A Boeing 747 jumbo jet contains around 75,000kg of aluminium. The structure of the space shuttle is 90% aluminium.
Road Transport - Aluminium is very strong, it is used extensively for the rugged Hummer vehicle and the off-road Land Rover. Aluminium absorbs kinetic energy. In a vehicle crash involving a largely aluminium vehicle a high proportion of the shock is absorbed by the structure, not by the vehicle occupants. Aluminium does not rust. Over the vehicle's life, there will be a saving of from six to twelve times the energy it takes to produce the primary aluminium used in its construction, every tonne of aluminium which replaces a tonne of traditional heavier materials will save 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents over the lifetime of the automobile. It is estimated that 90 per cent of trailer trucks and long distance buses have aluminium bodies. Aluminium components can cut 1,800 kilograms from the weight of a tractor-trailer truck. Thus such a truck can carry a bigger load without exceeding weight limits.
Rail and Sea Transport - Canada's LRC trains, France's TGV (high-speed) trains and the latest version the 700 series of the "Japanese Bullet Train" all have passenger cars made of aluminium. Most modern subway cars and most rail freight cars are also made of aluminium. Fast ferries, with speeds of 35-50 knots, built of aluminium are revolutionising transport over short sea routes.
Aluminium in Building - All kinds of aluminium products are used in new home construction and in residential renovation. Aluminium's resistance to corrosion means it is virtually maintenance-free. Its strength and lightness encourage its use in earthquake prone zones. New technologies mean solar power captors can be inserted in aluminium frames, thus saving considerable amounts of energy and protecting the environment. The majority of aluminium used in buildings will be recycled and can be used over and over again.
Aluminium in Cooking - Around half the cookware sold globally each year is made of aluminium. It loses only about seven per cent of the heat it receives, leaving 93 percent of the heat to cook your food. Using aluminium cookware, you only need a quarter of the energy required to heat stainless steel or cast iron, thus saving on energy bills.
Aluminium in Packaging - Aluminium is used extensively for the protection, storage and preparation of food and beverages. Aluminium can be rolled into ultra-thin foils which are light, strong and have unique barrier and insulation qualities to preserve food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and protect from ultra-violet light, odours and bacteria. Aluminium packages are secure, tamper-proof, hygienic, easy to open and recyclable. Aluminium withstands both heat and cold. It is easy to sterilise for food and medical applications. It's an excellent barrier against liquids, vapours and light. It transmits conducted heat, and reflects radiant heat. That's why you can oven-bake a potato in foil or insulate your home with it. Less than an ounce of aluminium sprayed on a polymer forms a thin insulating sheet that can keep a new born baby warm or save the life of someone on an exposed mountain top.
Aluminium in Water - WHO recognised the beneficial effects of the use of aluminium as a coagulant in water treatment to remove unwanted material including several organisms known to cause disease and make tap water drinkable.
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