Beyond its conventional role in cans, foil and cars, aluminium in fact stealthily appears in a wide variety of everyday items that you wouldn’t expect. So, as we get ready to celebrate Aluminium Day on 13th March, we’re unveiling some of our unexpected ‘aluminium allies’ to enlighten the understanding of how aluminium subtly enriches our lives.
- Mobile phones
- Alongside its lightweight and durable nature, aluminium is used in this application due to its heat transference and recyclable properties.
- An iPhone contains around 31 grams of aluminium – that’s around 24% of its mass!
- Musical instruments
- Aluminium works well for handheld musical instruments because it is non-magnetic, resists corrosion and does not rust.
- It’s also commonly used in percussion instruments like cymbals and tambourines, electric guitars and basses, as well as amplifiers and speaker enclosures.
- Watches
- Aluminium is used in bezels, case backs in the construction of some watches
- It’s chosen for its lightweight properties and ability to be easily coloured or anodized.
- Sports equipment
- Many sports equipment items, like baseball bats, golf clubs, tennis racquets, bicycles utilize aluminium due to its lightweight nature and ability to withstand high stress.
- Aluminium alloys are often used to create durable and high-performance equipment for various sports.
- Furniture:
- Aluminium is commonly used in outdoor furniture such as patio chairs and tables because it is lightweight, weather-resistant, and doesn’t rust. Additionally, some modern indoor furniture designs also incorporate aluminium for its sleek appearance.
From the obvious everyday use to the not so obvious, aluminium’s unique properties make it indispensable to huge range of products and services that affect our everyday lives.
To find out more about the industry and learn about our Aluminium Ambassador programme for schoolchildren, visit: www.alfed.org.uk/policy-areas/skills/.
For more information about ALFED, or to become a member, visit www.alfed.org.uk.
