Have you ever thought what makes Aluminum different from aluminum alloy? Even though they share a name, the two words are very distinct. Aluminum is a nonmagnetic, silvery-white, lightweight metal that is ductile, malleable, and easy to work with. It is useful in producing building supplies, electrical cables, and packaging products.
On the other hand, an aluminum alloy combines Aluminum and other metals like copper, zinc, and magnesium. It frequently offers better strength, durability, and other desired qualities than pure Aluminum. It has numerous applications, like vehicles, airplanes, trains, and many others. So, now let’s look in detail at what makes these two different.
Aluminum vs. Aluminum Alloy
Here are some of the factors which make these 3 different from each other:
1. Composition
The first primary difference is composition. Aluminum is a pure metal, whereas alloy is a mixture of metals. Aluminum is a pure metal. It has 8% of the Earth’s crust, making it one of the most prevalent metals. Also, it is well known for being lightweight and corrosion-resistant, which makes it ideal for many uses, including building, transportation, and packing.
On the other hand, aluminum alloys combine Aluminum with one or more additional elements, such as copper, silicon, manganese, or magnesium. These elements improve the qualities of Aluminum, such as its strength, hardness, and resistance to wear and corrosion. Thus, it makes aluminum alloys more versatile and unique than Aluminum.
2. Properties
Aluminum and aluminum alloys stand out in various applications because of their distinct qualities. Aluminum is light and has a low density regarding physical characteristics. Also, it has great thermal conductivity and is malleable and ductile. On the other hand, aluminum alloy shows more strength, hardness, and toughness than pure Aluminum. Also, it offers enhanced corrosion resistance.
Regarding its chemical characteristics, Aluminum reacts with air to create a barrier of protective oxide that stops further oxidation. It is also resistant to a wide range of substances, except for very acidic or alkaline ones. However, aluminum alloy has variable degrees of chemical resistance depending on the alloying components utilized.
3. Recyclability
Aluminum’s capacity for recycling is one of its unique qualities. Aluminum can be recycled endlessly without losing any of its original qualities. Its recycling method uses much less energy than the main aluminum production process.
On the other hand, recycling aluminum alloys might be a more difficult procedure. The total recycling cost may rise due to the need for extra procedures. So, to separate and purify the alloy components due to the presence of alloying materials. However, with the development of technology, recycling aluminum alloys is becoming more effective and profitable.
Manufacturing Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy
Several procedures are involved in producing aluminum and aluminum alloy, which all rely on the ultimate product. Extrusion, which involves pushing Aluminum through a die to produce a certain cross-section, is one of the most often used methods for producing Aluminum. It is a practical method for making aluminum goods with intricate cross sections, such as door and window frames. A common method of producing aluminum parts, including engine blocks and wheels, is casting.
However, the manufacturing of aluminum alloy is more complicated. It combines two or more metals with Aluminum to produce a more durable material with improved tensile strength. Casting is one of the effective procedures for making aluminum alloys. Another process is forging, which includes using pressure on the alloy to shape and mold it. Thus, it uses heat to melt the metals and form the alloy. Thus, its manufacturing needs special instruction from the Aluminum alloy motor parts manufacturer to make it more effective.
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum has essential corrosion-resistant properties. It has an oxide layer on its surface, protecting it from environmental pollution. But the alloys have greater corrosive resistance due to their characteristics. Thus, it makes it more suitable for harsh temperatures, industrial applications, and environments. Therefore, many manufacturers prefer to use aluminum alloy for industrial purposes as it is highly durable and increases the object’s life span.
Cost
Aluminum is less expensive than aluminum alloy. The raw material cost of Aluminum is around $2000 per metric tonne. On the other hand, alloys cost around 2500 per metric tonne. Plus, alloys’ price is higher than that of pure Aluminum regarding manufacturing costs. The main reason is that its manufacturing process needs special techniques and requirements, which are quite expensive compared to pure Aluminum.
Application
Aluminum is useful for multiple applications due to its lightweight, corrosion resistance, and ease of machining. In the building sector, creating siding, roofing, and windows is helpful. Aside from that, Aluminum creates packaging materials, automobiles, buses, trains, and kitchenware.
However, aluminum alloy is popular for various applications due to its strength, durability, and erosion resistance. It helps make parts, including engine blocks, wheels, and structural elements. Thus, it is popular in the aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors. Plus, due to its low weight and toughness, it is essential in consumer goods like cellphones, computers, and bicycles.
However, in addition to these uses, aluminum alloy is also useful in the maritime, medical, sports, and construction sectors. Thus, Aluminum is superb for various applications because of its special qualities and adaptability.
Conclusion
Aluminum and aluminum alloys are different in terms of different factors. You may compare their compositions, properties, manufacturing, cost, and uses. Some key differences are that Aluminum is robust and lightweight, but an alloy is even more durable. Also, an alloy is more resistant to corrosion than Aluminum. Thus, it makes it more suitable for recycling and multiple applications. But if we consider the price, pure Aluminum is less expensive than alloy. So, if you want to buy something within your budget, you can choose Aluminum. However, it is important to see for what purposes you want it.
