Aluminum production in Russia is in full swing. In total, over 4,000,000 tons of this alloy are produced here in a year. Contrary to popular belief, it is this metal that is the most common on the planet, after it comes iron. But what is made of aluminum, because it is known that it is used in various industries? In particular, one can single out engineering, aviation, the chemical industry, and even civil engineering, not to mention the production of household goods.
Aviation
Aluminum alloy is the main structural material that is used in the modern aircraft industry. Its consumption increased sharply at the stage of development by airplanes of subsonic and supersonic speeds.
At the moment, there are alloys of various series - from 2xxx to 7xxx. Metal version 2xxx is used to work at very high temperatures, while it has a high fracture toughness coefficient. Alloys of the 7xxx series are used to create parts that will be used under heavy load and low temperature. They are highly resistant to corrosion. It is appropriate to make lightly loaded units from alloys of the 3xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx series. Such are used in oil, hydro and fuel systems.
In Russia, when creating assemblies for aircraft, high-strength aluminum alloys are used, which are previously subjected to heat treatment. Alloys of medium strength are also actively used. Liner skin, wings, fuselage, keel, etc. - all these elements are made of this material. Alloy 1420 is actively used to create a welded fuselage of a passenger liner. Now we understand what aluminum is made of in aviation.
Space technology
Also, this metal has the advantage of creating space technology. Due to its light weight and high specific strength, aluminum can be used to make tanks, bow and inter-tank parts of the rocket. This metal works well at cryogenic temperatures in contact with helium, hydrogen and oxygen. He has cryogenic hardening - a phenomenon in which strength indicators increase with decreasing temperature.
However, this is not all that is made of aluminum. It finds application in other industries.
Shipbuilding
Mainly in this industry, the material is used for the manufacture of ship hulls, as well as communications for equipment and deck superstructures. Thanks to the use of this metal, the designers managed to reduce the weight of the vessels by 50-60%, due to which high fuel economy and increased carrying capacity, maneuverability and speed also increase.
Railway transport
The rolling stock on the railway is operated in difficult conditions, it is subjected to shock loads. Therefore, the requirements for the materials of manufacture of such compositions are high. It is advisable to use aluminum for the manufacture of trains due to the high specific strength, low inertia, and also increased corrosion resistance. In addition, in special aluminum containers, products of the petrochemical and chemical industries can be transported.
Automotive industry
In cars, it is appropriate to use metals of high strength and low mass. Moreover, they must be resistant to corrosion and have a decorative surface. A substance such as aluminum, from which car bodies are made, just meets these criteria. Thanks to him, manufacturers are able to reduce the weight of the vehicle, make it more economical and increase load capacity, and high corrosion resistance significantly increases the life of the car.
Also, beams and frames of heavy trucks can be made of alloys.
Construction
In civil or industrial construction, aluminum alloys are also actively used. Their prospects are confirmed by world practice and technical and economic calculations. The use of aluminum can reduce metal consumption and increase the reliability and durability of the structure. Most modern buildings with glass facades have a "skeleton" of this material.
Petrochemical industry
When developing parts used in equipment for the exploration, production and refining of oil, stringent material requirements are imposed. Drilling equipment becomes easier and more efficient when using aluminum alloys, which makes it easier to transport and go through depth.
These alloys are ideal for the manufacture of oil storage tanks. Oil and gas, drill or tubing aluminum pipes are also actively used here. In particular, alloy D16 is used for this.
Production of household items
In everyday life, it is impossible to count things that are made of this metal. In particular, aluminum stairs are popular - they are in almost every house, garage. Kitchen utensils, brackets for TVs - all these elements can be made of aluminum, which is to say about smaller items.
Aluminum stairs, by the way, confidently replaced the iron ones, since the latter are very difficult to move from place to place. This once again demonstrates the advantage of this metal. It is possible to list household items made from it for a very long time.