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Aluminum is a lightweight metal and because of this property is used for many purposes. It is soft and pliable with a dull silvery look. It maintains this look because of a thin layer of oxidation on its surface. This oxidation means that it is corrosion resistant and can be used to protect many surfaces. When polished it has a higher reflective property than most metals with the exception of silver, gold and copper. Added to all these properties, it is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Aluminum is obtained by extraction from bauxite ore by electrolytic process. Aluminum is widely used in mirrors and telescopes due to its utmost reflective property. Household looking glasses are often made with a thin pane of aluminum fitted behind a float glass. In the case of telescopes, added reflection and magnification is obtained by placing an aluminum sheet in front of the glass. Nowadays, alluminum is used in alloy form. These alloys are very lightweight and strong. This makes them ideal for use in aircraft and rockets which need light and durable components. Alluminum alloys are stronger than the pure metal but with less anticorrosive properties. When a maximum amount of corrosion resistence is needed pure alluminum is used. It can also be used as a protective coating. Aluminum in a powder form is used for water treatment to kill bacteria and make the water safe and sound. This powdered aluminum is known as allum. Allum is also used to destroy parasites that are source to some fish diseases. I have stated earlier that aluminum is an enormously good conductor of heat and electricity. Though copper is deemed a better conductor but lags behind because of its high expense value. Aluminum is used in electrical wiring but as it conducts heat and electricity so well that there are chances of mishaps due to overheating. So in some areas electrical wiring of houses are no longer made from aluminum. Aluminum in its powdered form is very often used in paint, and a silvering agent in paint and mirrors. Aluminum when used in wood primer makes it water resistent. In mirrors, aluminum is pasted behind glass, which is then exposed to oxygen, forming aluminum oxide as the base of the mirror. Silver was used for this purpose earlier and it is the reason why the process is still called silvering. Permanent magnets are made from aluminum alloys called Alnico alloys. To make Alnico magnet you have to heat aluminum to a certain temperature then cool it in a magnetic field. Alnico magnets have wide usages in making electrical gadgets. As you can see, alluminum has many uses and is one of the most widely used metals. The Chinese were some of the first to make use of it in 300 AD. They actually made things from it. The Greeks and Romans also used it as a salt compound for dying. It is one of the most used metals in the world today.
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