Aluminium — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

2.70 g/cm³Density

660 °CMelting

~237 W/m·KK

A1 metal / meltsFire

Can recyclingLoop

metalsFamily

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.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Aluminium

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.

What “the material” actually is

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.

Heat, fire and insulation

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.

How it is made and used

Origin: Hall–Héroult 1886, USA / France. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span aerospace to consumer. Pairings matter: CFRP.

Market and circularity

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.

Profil

Résistance 62

Résistance à la chaleur 48

Performance au feu 70

Isolation 12

Ouvrabilité 90

Circularité 72

Questions fréquentes

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.

Anodising vs paint?

Anodising grows oxide from the metal; paint is a separate film. Coasts often want both or a better alloy.

Is primary aluminium “green”?

Only if the kWh are. Hydro Québec ≠ coal-grid smelting.

Icônes

Hall–Héroult cell

USA / France · 1886–

Hall–Héroult cell is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

Duralumin

Germany · 1906–

Duralumin is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

Aluminium can

United States · 1959–

Aluminium can is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

Audi Space Frame

Germany · 1994–

Audi Space Frame is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

Wright Flyer metal later

United States · 1903 lore / metal later

Wright Flyer metal later is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

Alclad sheet

United States · 1920s–

Alclad sheet is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

Eiffel aluminium capstone lore

France · 1889 era

Eiffel aluminium capstone lore is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

Tesla body castings

United States · 2020s

Tesla body castings is a reference point in the public image of Aluminium.

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🥫Aluminium

Repères