Computer Fans & Cooling

Aluminum, an overview

Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in the Earth’s crust (about 8%) and is the third most common element after oxygen and silicon. Unlike copper or gold, aluminum cannot be found in nature in the pure state because of its high affinity with oxygen, being so always combined with another element like in alum (KAl(SO4)2?12H2O) and in aluminum oxide (Al2O3). So, up to 1820, the aluminum was unknown as a metal.

In the 19th century the production process was so expensive and available quantities so small that aluminum was a precious metal ($1200/kg in 1852). Indeed, Napoleon III emperor of France had a baby rattle and some other small objects made of it, and a story tells that during a banquet the most honoured guests were given aluminum utensils, while the other guests were given gold utensils.

Presently, aluminum is the second largest used metal in the world, mainly due to its light weight, high strength and recyclability.

Aluminum is heavily used in the transportation industry because of its durability, strength and lightweight. Aluminum weight is one third of steel or cast iron. Taking into account increased thickness of the aluminum parts compared to steel, 1 kg of aluminum replaces 2 kg of steel, leading to lighter cars, trucks, etc… with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 generation.

Without aluminum the commercial aircraft industry would not have existed. The new A380 employs 66% of aluminum in the airframe, while a Boeing 747 contains 75 tons of aluminum.

The use of aluminum for the building of ships is increasing year by year. Today, single and multiple hull boats are made entirely of aluminum alloy. This kind of marine applications involve the largest usage of aluminum per produced object (400 ton) compared to a large, all aluminum car (1 ton).

The usage of aluminum is increasing in the military field too, where it is used as a substitute for the steel.

In building and construction aluminum find a wide variety of applications, and its use is steadily increasing. It can be used to manufacture structural elements, as in bridges (for example, the Corbin Bridge in Pennsylvania has been retrofitted with an extruded aluminum deck, which is lighter than the previous deck made of steel and timber, allowing the bridge to sustain 22 tons loads compared to the previous 7 tons). Curtainwall made of extruded aluminum and glass are very attractive for the design of new buildings or retrofit of old ones. Windows made of extruded aluminum are attractive, energy-efficient (with thermal broken technology), and reliable. Domes for gymnasiums, schools, theme parks, storage facilities, multi-purpose arenas, industrial roof systems, and churches are made with aluminum because of its strength and low weight. Aluminum is one of the best material also in the roof construction, because of its strength against corrosion and, hence, weathering and influence of pollutants in the atmosphere. Low maintenance aluminum facades are used to cover old houses facades made with thin or wide wooden clapboard.

Aluminum find also wide use in the packaging industry, being produced in both rigid and foil forms. Rigid aluminum containers are used for beverage and food packaging. Aluminum cans account for all of the beverage can market, but only a small percentage of the food can market. Cans are 79 percent of aluminum packaging by weight. Foil packaging is used as a wrapping foil, as semi-rigid packages such as pie plates and frozen food trays, and as flexible packaging such as cigarette foil and candy wrappers.

http://www.aluminumsmeltingprocess.com

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The Remarkable Waterproof LED Intova Aluminum Torch Flashlight For Divers Outshines Competitors

Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the Waterproof LED Intova Aluminum Torch Flashlight is its simple, ergonomic design which fits perfectly and comfortably into a hand. It is attractive too! The rubber coated wrist strap attached to the flashlight is easy on the wrist and slips just as easily over the hand. This flashlight has been created to fit easily into a pocket or a glove compartment, purse, backpack or first aid kit. Consider this great little light for camping, boating and keeping available as a backup light for emergency power outages also.

Do not be deceived by the compact size, however. Although small, this flashlight is not your typical tiny LED beam. The sturdy case and clear white beam make this excellent light stand above the rest. Small doesn't indicate flimsy or inferior in such a case. The Waterproof LED Intova Aluminum Torch Flashlight "outshines" the others in quality and performance.

Although the typical LED beam is white and clear, most produce a small beam which need be moved around to avoid glare and distracting shadows. Not true with the Intova. This torch boasts a 3 watt bulb that casts a bright white circle without any dim edges that you would expect from an ordinary flashlight. Don't expect the yellow glare you are used to . This flashlight combines the strength of an average light with the clarity and snowy light of a pocket LED to make this the one light you'll want or have to use.

Anodized aluminum has been used to make the case of the flashlight. This case has been rated to work up to 400 feet under water which is why it has been the option of many who dive or work under water. There's no worry of rust or inside corrosion because of this very feature which causes it to be the perfect indoor and outdoor flashlight.

It comes with a 3 watt lifetime LED. Right there is your assurance that you are never going to have to replace a dead bulb. The light requires 2 lithium photo batteries that will have to be replaced ever so often depending on individual use . These are a bit more expensive than a typical battery, but they can be found on the internet reasonable enough. The switch is magnetic, for convenient one-handed use which is another very attractive feature.

Giving this dive torch as a gift could never disappoint the recipient. This is a gift to fit man or woman, young or old. The uses are endless and the quality and smartness of this flashlight would be appreciated for a lifetime.

I could think of quite a few uses for this little light. The Intova Aluminum Torch Flashlight appears to offer the perfect mixture of features. Smart, sturdy yet practical, this device is neither too complex nor too simple to ignore.

How much does 1 cubic foot of pure aluminum weight?

#1 cubic foot = 0.028 316 847 cubic meter
1 cubic foot = 28 316.846 592 cubic centimeter
1 cubic foot = 28 316 846.591 999 996 cubic millimeter

#Density (near r.t.) : 2.70 g·cm^[−3]

Weight=volume*density
weight=28 316.846 592*2.70
weight=76455.4857984 grammes
Weight=76.4554857984 kilograms
Weight=168.555 493 556 pound.

This Seasonal Clock Will Keep You Thinking About The Present (fastcompany)

A clock that takes a year to complete a cycle gives new perspective on the
passage of time.

In many instances, it makes sense to measure time in seconds, minutes, or
hours--if you're training for a marathon, scheduling meetings, or trying to
make it home for dinner on time, there's really no other way to do it. But our
obsession with small increments of time often keeps us from focusing on the
bigger picture. The Present, a clock from creative firm m ss ng p eces, aims
to keep people "in the moment" for longer by telling time in seasons.

The clock takes a year to complete a single cycle, courtesy of a custom
microprocessor that turns hours into months. Different colors represent
changes in seasons--the winter solstice (top) is marked by pure white, pure
green represents the shift into spring, pure yellow marks sun, and red marks
the autumn equinox.

[vimeo 29543294]

There is currently just one prototype of the The Present, with a casing made
out of handblown glass, and a face featuring printed aluminum. "As we finalize
materials, our main goal is to make the clock have the quality of something
permanent--a piece that ...

fastcompany

Aluminum Foil Is Pure Awesome Fun!