Light structural metal from Hall–Héroult cells — aircraft skins, cans and façades.
Also called: aluminum · aluminium alloy · duralumin family
Aluminium is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under metals: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Aluminium with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Aluminium (Al (+ Mg, Si, Cu, Zn…)) is a family of grades whose density 2.70 g/cm³, heat band 660 °C, and fire letter A1 as metal.
Aluminium is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry Al (+ Mg, Si, Cu, Zn…), density 2.70 g/cm³, heat band 660 °C.
This atlas treats Aluminium as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: ~237 W/m·K (pure). Insulation score 12/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: A1 as metal. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: Hall–Héroult 1886, USA / France. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span aerospace to consumer. Pairings matter: CFRP.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 72/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
USA / France · 1886–
Hall–Héroult cell is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
Germany · 1906–
Duralumin is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
United States · 1959–
Aluminium can is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
Germany · 1994–
Audi Space Frame is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
United States · 1903 lore / metal later
Wright Flyer metal later is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
United States · 1920s–
Alclad sheet is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
France · 1889 era
Eiffel aluminium capstone lore is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
United States · 2020s
Tesla body castings is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
The first industrial conductor — wiring, heat exchangers, roofs that go green.
Overall 57 🍴Chromium passive films that keep kitchens, chemical plant and façades from rusting like carbon steel.
Overall 64 🔩The iron–carbon workhorse of buildings, ships, rails and tools — endlessly recast.
Overall 66 🪟Frozen silicate liquid — windows, bottles, fibres and a Euroclass A1 skin that still shatters and melts in fire.
Overall 58The iron–carbon workhorse of buildings, ships, rails and tools — endlessly recast.
Overall 66 ✈️High specific strength and chloride-tolerant films — airframes, implants and seawater.
Overall 58 🔶The first industrial conductor — wiring, heat exchangers, roofs that go green.
Overall 57 🍴Chromium passive films that keep kitchens, chemical plant and façades from rusting like carbon steel.
Overall 64