If you already know Geartech BR, you should know that we work with several types of electrical insulators, mainly aimed at electric motors, but that can also be used in other products. But is aluminum an electrical conductor or insulator? If you want to know the answer to this question, plus extra information, keep reading!
Let’s first give a definition of what aluminum is.
Aluminum is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminum has a lower density than other common metals, about one-third that of steel.
It has a high affinity for oxygen and forms a protective oxide layer on the surface when exposed to air.
Aluminum visually resembles silver, both in its color and in its great ability to reflect light. It is soft, non-magnetic and ductile.
Aluminum is a light metal with mild chemical properties. It has a dull silver appearance because it quickly forms a thin oxide layer when exposed to air. It is non-toxic (like steel), non-magnetic and non-sparking.
Discovery of Aluminum
The discovery of aluminum was announced in 1825 by the Danish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted.
The first industrial production of aluminum was started by French chemist Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire Deville in 1856.
Aluminum became much more available to the public with the Hall-Héroult process independently developed by French engineer Paul Héroult and American engineer Charles Martin Hall in 1886. The mass production of aluminum led to its extensive use in industry and everyday life. .
In World Wars I and II, aluminum was a crucial strategic resource for aviation.
In 1954, aluminum became the most produced non-ferrous metal, surpassing copper.
In the 21st century, most aluminum was consumed in transportation, engineering, construction and packaging in the United States, Western Europe, China and Japan.
Throughout the 20th century, aluminum production increased rapidly: while world aluminum production in 1900 was 6,800 metric tons, annual production exceeded 100,000 metric tons in 1916.
In 1941, 1,000,000 tons and 10,000,000 tons in 1971.
In the 1970s, rising demand for aluminum made it a trading commodity, entering the London Metal Exchange, the world’s oldest industrial metals exchange, in 1978.
Production continued to grow: annual aluminum production exceeded 50,000,000 metric tons in 2013.
After all, is aluminum an electrical conductor or insulator?
After this important information about the discovery and production of aluminum, let’s find out if it is an electrical conductor or insulator.
But first we want to share with you some more important information.
Aluminum is used in many industries to make tens of millions of different products and plays a very important role in the world economy.
Using numerous combinations of its key properties, including electrical power, light weight, corrosion resistance, recoverability and formability, aluminum is used in an increasing number of applications.
This commodity class ranges from structural substances to thin packaging films.
That said, answering the question of whether aluminum is an electrical conductor or an insulator, metal is considered an electrical conductor. Even used in wires and cables that conduct electricity.
But talking about electrical insulators, if you need this kind of material, please contact us. It will be a pleasure to help you!
