The Complete Guide to Aluminium – For Students
What is Aluminium?
Aluminium is a lightweight, silvery-white metal that is the third most abundant element in the
Earth's crust. Chemically represented by the symbol Al, it has an atomic number of 13 and an
atomic mass of about 26.98 u. It belongs to Group 13 of the periodic table and is classified as
a post-transition metal.
Key characteristics of aluminium include:
Lightweight: Its density is only 2.70 g/cm³, about one-third of steel.
Good conductor: Excellent at conducting heat and electricity.
Malleable and ductile: Can be formed into thin sheets and wires.
Corrosion resistant: Forms a thin oxide layer (Al■O■) which protects it from further
oxidation.
Non-toxic: Safe for food packaging and medical applications.
Where Does Aluminium Come From?
Aluminium is never found in its pure form in nature due to its high reactivity. Instead, it is
extracted from bauxite, a rock that contains a mixture of aluminium minerals and impurities.
Bauxite is mainly composed of:
Gibbsite (Al(OH)■)
Boehmite (AlO(OH))
Diaspore (AlO(OH))
Bauxite also contains iron oxides (giving it a reddish color), silica, and titanium dioxide. It is
primarily formed in tropical climates through intense chemical weathering of aluminium-rich
rocks over millions of years. The best conditions for bauxite formation include:
High rainfall and temperature
Well-drained, stable ancient rocks
Minimal erosion and long weathering periods
Where is Aluminium Found?
Major producers include:
Australia: Weipa (Queensland), Gove (Northern Territory)
Guinea: Sangaredi, Kindia, Fria
Brazil: Pará, Minas Gerais
India: Odisha (Koraput, Kalahandi), Jharkhand (Lohardaga)
Jamaica: Manchester Plateau, St. Ann, Clarendon
China: Shanxi, Henan, Guizhou
Vietnam: Central Highlands (Dak Nong, Lam Dong)
Indonesia: West Kalimantan
These countries possess the right combination of climate, geology, and infrastructure to
support aluminium mining.
Forms of Aluminium Ore (Bauxite)
Bauxite always occurs in solid form in nature. It does not exist as a liquid or gas. However, its
appearance and texture can vary greatly depending on the region and formation process. The
main types of bauxite include:
Earthy Bauxite: Soft, clay-like and crumbly; common in tropical regions.
Pisolitic Bauxite: Contains small, round grains (pisolites); high in gibbsite.
Hard Lateritic Bauxite: Dense, iron-rich, tough; forms in older deposits.
Karst Bauxite: Found in limestone-rich areas, often in caves.
High-Silica Bauxite: Contains more silica, harder to process industrially.
Types of Processed Aluminium
After extraction, aluminium can be processed into various forms:
Ingots: Large blocks of raw aluminium metal.
Billets: Cylindrical or rectangular bars used in extrusion processes.
Rolled Products: Includes foils, sheets, plates, and coils.
Extrusions: Formed by pushing aluminium through dies into rods or profiles.
Cast Aluminium: Created by pouring molten aluminium into molds.
Forged Aluminium: Pressed into strong shapes using force.
Alloys: Aluminium combined with other elements to improve strength and durability.
