ALUMINUM BASICS
This is the chemical symbol for aluminum.
What is Al?
This is the temperature at which pure aluminum melts, approximately.
What is 660°C / 1,220°F?
This element is the primary component of aluminum alloys.
What is aluminum?
This alloy series is known for commercially pure aluminum.
What is the 1xxx series?
This protective equipment should be worn to protect your eyes from molten metal and furnace hazards.
What are safety glasses?
This ore is the primary source of aluminum.
What is bauxite?
This furnace process turns solid aluminum scrap or ingot into liquid metal.
What is melting?
Adding this element is common in 5xxx-series alloys and improves strength and corrosion resistance.
What is magnesium?
This series primarily uses copper as its principal alloying element.
What is the 2xxx series?
Water contacting molten aluminum can cause this extremely dangerous event.
What is a steam explosion?
Aluminum has this atomic number.
What is 13?
This material is added to aluminum melts to help remove hydrogen and inclusions.
What is salt/flux?
This element is a major alloying addition in 2xxx-series aluminum and can significantly increase strength.
What is copper?
This series is known for magnesium-containing alloys and generally is not heat treatable.
What is the 5xxx series?
This is the layer of oxidized material that forms on the surface of molten aluminum.
What is dross?
This property makes aluminum especially valuable for transportation applications.
What is low weight / low density?
This unwanted gas is particularly important to remove because it can cause porosity in cast aluminum.
What is hydrogen?
This element is commonly associated with 6xxx-series alloys and combines with magnesium to provide heat-treatable strength.
What is silicon?
This series contains magnesium and silicon and includes alloys such as 6061.
What is the 6xxx series?
Before charging wet or contaminated scrap into a furnace, this critical hazard must be addressed.
What is moisture contamination?
Aluminum's density is approximately this many times lower than steel's.
What is approximately one-third?
This furnace condition can cause excessive oxidation, metal loss, and potentially dangerous reactions.
What is excessive temperature / overheating?
This element is commonly found in 7xxx-series alloys and is responsible for much of their very high strength.
What is zinc?
This series is famous for very high-strength aluminum alloys and includes 7075.
What is the 7xxx series?
In an aluminum furnace, this is one of the biggest reasons moisture is considered extremely dangerous around molten metal.
What is rapid conversion of water to steam causing an explosive metal ejection?