Aluminium is best known for its light weight characteristics. When it is cold worked, the material strengthens by double. It does not oxidize quickly in air due to its microscopic oxide coating on the surface.
Aluminium has hundreds of alloys and tempers, making it useful for a very wide variety of applications from aircraft, aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding to household products including pots, pans, and cooking utensils. Newer applications, such as drive shafts, radiators, cylinder heads, and suspension systems have proven to be most advantageous when dealing with weight v.s. strength v.s. cost considerations.
Aluminium has also proven to be of great value as a forged product, providing high strength and light weight for applications in the aircraft, aerospace and automotive industries.
