Dust explosion
Polishing and powder coating booths need explosion venting.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength62
Heat resistance48
Fire performance70
Insulation12
Workability90
Circularity72
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Aluminium or aluminum?
Same metal. IUPAC aluminium; US spelling aluminum. Specs use either.
Why is it light but not “weak”?
Specific strength of 7075 can beat mild steel; stiffness per volume still loses to steel.
Does it burn?
Bulk metal melts in fire; powders and some façade cores are the combustible stories.
Is it a good insulator?
No. It is a heat spreader. Foil radiant barriers reflect radiation; they are not bulk λ insulation.
Why do cans recycle so well?
Single alloy family, magnetic-free sort, huge volume, remelt energy is low.
Can I weld 7075?
Generally a bad idea for strength; designers rivet, bond or use 2000/5000 weldables instead.
heat 48 · fire 70
Safety here is encyclopedia, not a workplace assessment. Name the agent: dust, isocyanate, fibre, fume, moisture, fire.
Fire class A1 as metal is reaction language unless an assembly test is cited.
Hazards
Caustic / acid
The oxide is amphoteric; drain cleaners and strong acids both attack.
Fumes
Welding 5000-series can generate ozone and metal fume; ventilation still applies.
Sharp foil
Industrial foil slitting is a cut hazard.
Hot dross
Remelt furnaces: thermite-like reactions if the charge is wrong.
Fire class
Metal
A1 reaction; structural failure by melting/softening.
ACP
PE-cored aluminium composite is a façade fire lesson, not an aluminium lesson.
Powder
Combustible as a dust cloud.
Cans
Thin walls melt; contents dominate the fire load.
Environment
Smelter CO₂
Anode carbon + electricity mix set the carbon passport.
Red mud
Bayer residue is an alkaline waste problem still looking for uses.
Recycling
Cans close the loop; mixed shredded auto scrap is messier (iron, coatings).
Hydro clustering
Iceland, Quebec, Norway smelt where rivers are the energy store.
Handling
Do not mix steels in remelt
Iron is a poison in many wrought specs.
Store alloys by series
Heat-treatable vs non: mix-ups scrap T6 lots.
Protect from chlorides
Coastal warehouses pit mill-finish sheet.
Lift with clean vacuum or pads
Soft metal bruises.
Codes move. Recheck KS, JIS, EN, NFPA and IBC editions for the job’s jurisdiction.
Keep exploring
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