To date, almost all known metals and their alloys have found practical application. Each of them has its own specific features, which determine the scope of their use in certain industries. The most widespread are iron and all kinds of compounds based on it, as well as aluminum and its alloys. This can be explained, first of all, by large natural reserves, as well as by excellent chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics.
A bit of history
According to an ancient legend described in the treatise "Natural History" by Guy Pliny the Elder, compiled in about 77 CE, once an unknown master approached the emperor of Rome Tiberius and made him a gift in the form of a bowl made of silver and very light metal. When Tiberius asked him what he had made of, he answered that it was made of clay. Surprised, the emperor ordered the innocent craftsman to be killed and his workshop destroyed, so that this invention would not lead to the depreciation of the metals of the Roman treasury. It is a pity that at that time he could not appreciate all the prospects for the discovery, because aluminum and its alloys made a real breakthrough in the future.
Why is aluminum and its alloys so popular?
The aluminum content in the earth's crust is approximately 8.8%, and therefore it is the leader in the list of the most common metals. Its advantages include low density (2.7 g / cm3), excellent corrosion resistance, manufacturability, good electrical and thermal conductivity, and fairly high strength characteristics. Aluminum and its alloys are widely used in aviation, shipbuilding, railway transport, automotive, construction, chemical and
oil industries , etc.
Aluminum alloys are characterized by
ductility, ductility, high processing speed. All this gives an excellent opportunity to apply them in almost any type of production.
Basic alloys based on aluminum
By combining aluminum with alloying additives, it is possible to achieve greater strength and improve other properties of this metal. As additives,
silicon, copper, manganese, zinc and magnesium
are most often
used . Consider the main alloys.
Duralumin (duralumin, or just duralumin)
The name of this compound comes from the word Duren - that was the name of the German city, which in 1911. began to produce this alloy on an industrial scale. Get it by adding copper (2.2 - 5.2%), magnesium (0.2 - 2.7%) and manganese (0.2 - 0.1%) to aluminum. After heat treatment, the metal becomes very strong (static strength reaches 450-500 MPa). In order to increase the corrosion resistance, it is often clad with aluminum. Used as a structural material in transport and aircraft engineering.
Magnalias
These are various alloys of aluminum with magnesium and other elements (magnesium content - 1-13%). They are characterized by high ductility, good weldability and corrosion resistance. Used for the manufacture of shaped castings, wire, sheets, rivets, etc.
Silumin
This compound is obtained by combining aluminum with silicon (silicon content - 4-13%). Sometimes other additives are added to it: Be, Ti, Zn, Mg, Mn, Cu. This alloy is used for the production of parts of complex design, mainly in the aircraft and automotive industries.
Aluminum and its alloys will serve for the benefit of mankind for a long time to come. Proof of this is a new invention - foamed aluminum or, as it is also called, "metal foam". Many experts believe that porous aluminum has excellent prospects.