Aluminium
Aluminium (or
aluminum in
North American English) is a
chemical element in the
periodic table with the symbol
Al and
atomic number 13. A silvery and ductile member of the
poor metal group of elements, aluminium is found primarily as the ore
bauxite and is remarkable for its resistance to oxidation (aluminium is actually almost always already oxidized, but is usable in this form unlike most metals), its strength, and its light weight. Aluminium is used in many industries to make millions of different products and is very important to the world economy. Structural components made from aluminium are vital to the
aerospace industry and very important in other areas of
transportation and building in which light weight, durability, and strength are needed.