How Aluminum Works

Aluminum is one of the elements, which would have the least votes if elements were voted for. Ancient Persian potters used aluminum to strengthen their pottery; however, pure aluminum was never discovered until 1825. During those times, people were using many metal alloys for an extended period.rnAluminum SmeltingrnConverting alumina and aluminum oxide into aluminum was one of the biggest industrial revolution measures. There could be only small obtainable amounts of aluminum until modern methods of smelting were improvised. Some of the methods used during those days involved reacting aluminum with more reacting metals something that made it expensive and elusive until 1886 when Aluminum Smelting industry that used electrolysis was implemented.rnThe process of breaking down components by electricity is known as electrolysis that is used to decompose a chemical into component chemicals. Anciently the process of electrolysis involved two electrodes immersed into a molten solution with either carrying positive and negative charges, connected to the battery that makes one of the electrodes a negative terminal and the other a positive terminal. This way the charged electrodes repel or attract some chemical elements within the solution. The positive electrode will attract positively charged ions while the negative electrode attracts the negatively charged ions.rnBelow Are Steps Followed In The Aluminum Smelting ProcessrnThe melting point of pure alumina is 2054 degrees C (3729 degrees F), therefore alumina is dissolved in molten cryolite at 1000 degrees Celsius (1832 degrees F) the essence of adding cryolite is to allow the electrolysis to take place at lower temperatures. There is a iron vat lined with graphite that serves as cathode where electrolyte is placed. • Carbon anodes are dipped into the electrolyte. • Electricity is therefore passed through the molten material.rnDuring the process aluminum ions is reduced at the cathode into aluminum metal, while at the anode carbon is oxidized in carbon dioxide gas. The following is the chemical reaction of the whole process: • 2A12O3 + 3C -> 4A1 + 3CO2rnThe molten aluminum metal goes down to the vat where it is drained periodically through a plug.rnThe process of Aluminum Smelting, which was developed by Hall, led to large amounts of processing of pure aluminum. After a short period of time metal became available without a big hassle. The process of process aluminum through electrolysis also ceased to be rare. The idea was brought up by a Frenchman by the name Paul L. T Heroult few months later; He still received a patent for process in 1889. One year Pittsburg Reduction Company that would later be the Aluminum Company of America, or Alcoa. In 1891, the aluminum production reached over 300 tons (272 metric tons)rnAluminum does not require a finish and therefore it is an attractive metal. Aluminum can be painted, polished and electroplated. Some of its uses are in beer and soda companies whereby aluminum cans are used to pack such products.rnAluminum provides a good adhere to coatings and label formulations done on it typically for different purposes, which provides aesthetic appeal. Such types of finishes are only in concern when it is time to recycle for they have to be removed. We shall look at how aluminum is recycled in details afterwards.