Why do designers use aluminium?
Aluminium is part of our everyday lives. It’s used to build air and space craft, to make bikes, car engines and body parts. We package food, drink and health & beauty products in aluminium foil trays, drink cans and aerosols. And it’s used to make parts for electronic and consumer goods like laptops, MP3 players and mobile phones.
Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, lightweight, resistant to corrosion and as strong as steel when alloyed with other metals, which makes this versatile metal an ideal choice for designers
Where does it come from?
Aluminium does not occur naturally in nature, but it is the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust. The main source is bauxite, a mineral ore (a rock deposit) found mainly in Africa, South America, the West Indies and Australia. To produce aluminium from bauxite is a complex process that was only perfected in 1886 which makes aluminium a very ‘young’ metal!
How can aluminium be used?
Aluminium can be used in a variety of ways.
Cast
Casting in a sand or metal mould shapes molten aluminium. In some factories water is used to cast ingots from molten metal. Casting can create complex parts or decorative shapes.
Rolled
Aluminium can be rolled into foils, sheets and thicker plates. These can be cut, formed and joined. Thin foils can be laminated with plastics.
Extruded
Extrusion forces hot, softened aluminium through a shaped die to form a long product. These can be used as long lengths or cut into smaller pieces.
Forged
Forging uses presses and other tools to apply pressure to shape the aluminium. Forging changes the structure of the aluminium to make it stronger.
Laser cut
Laser cutting uses a high power computer-controlled laser to cut accurate shapes from aluminium sheets or plates.
Anodised
Anodising uses an electrical process to coat the surface of the aluminium with its oxide. This helps the treated part resist corrosion. The anodised surface can be dyed to add colour to the part.
Powder coated
Aluminium parts are dipped in or sprayed with dry paint powder. The part is then placed in an oven and the powder particles melt to form a continuous coating.
Uncoated
Aluminium doesn’t always need protecting from the elements, because it doesn’t corrode. Using aluminium uncoated reveals its natural ‘shine’, which is seen as an asset by designers, especially in packaging.
Useful Links
There is so much more you can explore about aluminium! Use the links below to find out more about this amazing material. You can also learn much more about aluminium from our sponsors.
Aluminium and its uses
Alupro
ALFED
International Aluminium Institute
Design
Design Council: what is design and why does it matter?
www.designcouncil.org.uk/about-design/What-design-is-andwhy-it-matters/
Design Council: About design
www.designcouncil.org.uk/about-design/
Science Museum: Hidden Heroes
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/galleries/hidden_heroes.aspx
Recycling
Novelis interactive tour of the recycling process for drink cans
Think Cans
http://thinkcans.net/think-cans-in-the-classroom
Red Bull have a fun take on the can life cycle
www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/canlifecycle/001242939604115
Recycle Now has information and resources for schools
www.recyclenow.com/schools/index.html
Manufacturing
Alcoa
www.alcoa.com/recycling/en/info_page/home.asp
Can Manufacturers Institute (USA)
Watch what engineers at Jaguar Land Rover have to say about designing with aluminium
Join our Network
Partners
Partners
Partners
