saw blades - what you need

Posted on: 29 May 2015

Throughout the day, you come into contact with aluminum in a number of ways. From the can that holds your soda to the wrap you use to cover a casserole before it goes in the oven, it's rare to look somewhere in your home without noticing something made of aluminum. But beyond seeing it in the home, you might not know much about this mineral that's so prevalent in homes and businesses across the globe. Want to impress some friends or co-workers with your knowledge? Here's a crash course about aluminum.

Where It Comes From

Like other metals, aluminum is mined in many regions of the world. According to data from the United States Geological Survey, China is the world's largest exporter of aluminum, followed by Russia, Canada and the United States. In 2012 and 2013, China exported more than 20 million tonnes of aluminum -- more than the amount exported by the rest of the top 10 countries, combined.

Common Uses

Aluminum has several applications in the home and beyond. Cans, kitchen utensils, tools, jewelry, electronics, computers, window frames and the wires that run from the power line to your home are all household elements that can contain aluminum, while parts for automobiles, planes and other machines are also commonly made of aluminum. This includes things like aluminum seals. Heading to a backyard barbecue? The icy cold beer keg is made of aluminum, too.

Many Benefits

Aluminum is so prevalent, in part, due to its myriad benefits. It's significantly lighter than steel and copper, which is one of the reasons it has so many uses in cars, airplanes and even spacecraft. Despite its lightweight nature, aluminum boasts an impressive combination of flexibility and strength. Its other benefits include its ability as a conductor, its long lifespan and its recyclable nature; according to the Aluminum Association, approximately 75 percent of U.S.-produced aluminum continues to be used because of recycling.

Aluminum By the Numbers

• 147,000: The weight, in pounds, of aluminum contained within a standard Boeing 747 airplane.
• 150: The length, in years, that aluminum has been used in society. It's one of the newest metals; copper, for example, has been used for around 9,000 years.
• 350,000: The number of aluminum cans produced in factories across the world every minute. Aluminum cans are used to hold soda, beer, food and many household products.
• 1 billion: The number of aluminum cans that Americans discard, instead of divert to recycling programs, per year.