Does aluminum rust? This is a common question people have when looking at an aluminum pan or another item in their home.

But does it really rust? Truth be told, it doesn’t. However, this does not mean that your aluminum is immune to corrosion and other causes that could harm your precious metal.

There are several things you should know about aluminum houseware, including how to properly clean and maintain it. So, in this article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about aluminum: What it is, its uses and benefits, and more.

What Is Aluminum?

Aluminum is the thirteenth element in the periodic table of elements. This metal is one of the most valuable and abundant elements, accounting for more than 8% of the Earth’s core mass.

Did you know that, after oxygen and silicon, aluminum is the third most common chemical on our planet?

In engineering, aluminum is one of the most sought-after metals because it is a functional, light, and durable material that you can see almost everywhere.

Aluminum is present in the transportation that we use, such as cars, trains, airplanes, and the industry. It can also be found in our cell phones, computers, and some parts of household electronics and gadgets such as refrigerators and cooking pans.

What Are the Uses of Aluminum?

The shiny-silvery metal is essential in the industry as it performs many uses as it is often used in transportation, construction, and even making food in the process.

It can be easily blended with other materials and chemical elements that go along with other mixtures and properties that make it easy to use in other areas.

Construction

When silicon, aluminum, and magnesium are combined in modern construction, the resulting road mix has the potential to endure for quite a long time. The Empire State Building, one of the world’s most famous structures, is mainly made of aluminum. Construction began in 1930 and continued until 1932, built out of components and prefabricated constructions of the said metal.

Even inside the buildings, aluminum serves its purpose in the elevator shafts, creating a lightweight framework that allows a single operator to move the elevator quickly and easily. It also comes with anti-rust properties that will protect the aluminum alloy from expensive maintenance.

Transportation

As stated before, aluminum also contributed to the strong metals that complete the parts of automobiles and other transportation.

When it comes to automobiles, aluminum is widely used, and it can be found in a range of uses such as engine radiators, wheel hubs, bumpers, suspension components. The body sections such as hoods, doors, and chassis are made up of aluminum as well. Additional improvements in the transportation industry include reducing the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle to less than 20%.

Aside from that, aluminum has provided an excellent solution for the transportation sector with the new shells of high-speed trains and buses, making it more environmentally friendly and saving significantly more energy than the previous materials that they used.

Household

Aluminum can be found in various products in your home, including window frames, electronics, and even household appliances. Additionally, CDs and some kitchenware, such as utensils and pans, contain the element without even being aware of it.

There are numerous advantages to using aluminum in your home that you can take advantage of. If you’re interested in learning more about their capabilities, continue reading this article to the next section.

Benefits of Using Aluminum in Your Home

1. It’s Simple To Construct and Long-Lasting.

One of the most profound benefits of using aluminum is that it is easy to form into other uses. You can see how it is easy to change forms by folding your spoon when you get bored of it.

2. Lightweight in Comparison to Other Materials

Aluminum is a lighter material than other materials. In comparison to the total weight of the steel, it only estimates for 35% of the weight. However, even though it is lightweight, it retains the strength and durability found in other steel posts and beams in your home.

3. Able to Withstand Corrosion

Aluminum, on the other hand, is not affected by corrosion once oxygen has attached itself to the metal. While others are concerned that their metals have rusted and become brittle, aluminum can withstand corrosion because it naturally has a covering that shields it from oxygen in the air.

4. Reflectivity

Due to aluminum’s ability to reflect visible light and heat, it is the ideal material for bringing natural light and fresh air into homes and structures. It’s typically used in the summer to block out 95% of the sunlight without making the house unbearably hot.

5. It’s Reusable and Recyclable.

The final and most crucial advantage of aluminum metal is that it can be recycled.

Because aluminum is suitable for reuse, you won’t have to buy new ones every year. Experts have shown that the aluminum metals may be salvaged and used to make new ones even after a building has been demolished.

The aluminum retains all of its capabilities despite being incorporated into new materials. Minimal energy is expended to make it more readily recyclable.

Recycling can be put to better use in other projects, such as storing and displaying food and beverages without imparting an unpleasant odor to the contents.

Does Aluminum Rust?

There are numerous explanations as to why metal does not rust in the slightest bit. The metal undergoes oxidation when exposed to air, which alters both its physical and chemical properties.

An oxidation process coats the aluminum, protecting it from additional corrosion that becomes difficult to remove. Aluminum corrosion does not exhibit the same color changes. Unlike what you typically see in rusted irons, the corrosion emerges with a powder texture in its regular grey shade, making it a little difficult to distinguish because it almost seems like there are no differences.

Factors Affecting the Corrosion of Aluminum

Corrosion on aluminum has different factors that quickly affect the metal. For example, a slight change in the atmosphere can cause a considerable change in the element because of the changes brought by the air, especially with the wind speed and direction, and temperature.

Other than the atmosphere, small holes can also occur in your aluminum surface, otherwise known as pitting corrosion. This corrosion does not affect the strength of the metal, but it can be nasty to look at in the end.

It’s not only air that can affect the aluminum, but the water can do that too. When the aluminum is placed in a high-speed water jet, the pressure and velocity of the water slowly affect the strength of the metal.

How To Take Care of Your Aluminum

You should keep in mind that even though the aluminum can withstand rusting, care must be taken because of adjustments in the weather and other factors that can quicken corroding.

• You can keep your metal in good shape by cleaning and drying it regularly. A fresh cloth swabbed across your metal can bring about changes in its condition against corrosion simply by exposure to water or air.
• You can also use a variety of products to keep the aluminum looking as natural as possible. You can use paint or powder coating to protect them.
• Acid can be used to remove the corroded area’s coating. However, if you don’t feel like buying one of these acids because they cater to your aluminum use, you can use acidic fruits like lemons, apples, and even tomatoes instead.

Takeaway

Because aluminum is such a typical metal, it can be used almost anywhere.

Although aluminum does not rust, it is essential to remember that maintaining and adequately taking care of the metal is required to use it in its best condition and avoid damage.