Aluminium alloy facts for kids

Aluminium alloys are special mixtures of metals where aluminium is the main ingredient. Think of them like a super-mix! Other elements like copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin, and zinc are often added. These additions make the aluminium stronger or give it other useful properties.

Aluminium alloys are super important in engineering, meaning they are used to build many things around us.

What are Aluminium Alloys?

An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and another element. When we talk about aluminium alloys, it means that aluminium makes up most of the mixture. Adding other elements changes how the aluminium behaves. For example, some alloys are much stronger, while others are easier to shape.

These special mixtures are used in many different ways because they can be light, strong, and resistant to rust.

Types of Aluminium Alloys

Aluminium alloys are mainly divided into two big groups:

• Casting alloys: These alloys are melted and then poured into molds to create specific shapes. They are often used for making parts that need to be produced quickly and at a lower cost. This is because they have a low melting point, which means they don't need a lot of heat to become liquid.
• Wrought alloys: These alloys are shaped while they are solid. This can be done by rolling, pressing, or hammering them into different forms like sheets, rods, or wires. About 85% of all aluminium used today is in the form of wrought products.

Why are Aluminium Alloys Useful?

Aluminium alloys are very popular because they offer many benefits:

• Lightweight: Aluminium is a very light metal, and its alloys keep this important quality. This makes them perfect for things like airplanes and bicycles, where every bit of weight matters.
• Strong: Even though they are light, many aluminium alloys are incredibly strong. This combination of lightness and strength is why they are used in so many engineering structures, from bridges to cars.
• Resistant to rust: Aluminium naturally forms a protective layer that stops it from rusting easily. This makes its alloys great for outdoor use or in places where they might get wet.

You can find aluminium alloys in many everyday items and big structures. They are used in bicycle frames, car parts, airplane bodies, and even in some parts of spaceships! For example, some parts of the Mig–29 jet are made from a special aluminium-scandium alloy, which is extra strong and light.

Images for kids

• 

  Welded aluminium alloy bicycle frame, made in the 1990s.

• 

  Aluminium alloy bicycle wheel. 1960s Bootie Folding Cycle

• 

  Parts of the Mig–29 are made from Al–Sc alloy.

See also

In Spanish: Aleaciones de aluminio para niños