The material search application provides access to a material database of metals (ferrous and non-ferrous), polymers (thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers), composites, and ceramics. The database can be filtered by material type and display material properties such as density, hardness, tensile strength, and yield strength. Upper and lower limits can be entered for any material property to filter the results and glossary entries are available as well. Lastly, side-by-side comparisons of the material data sheets can also be viewed.
Aluminum - Chemical symbol Al. Element No. 13 on the periodic chart. Aluminum is a white-silver metal with an atomic weight 26.97, a melting point of 660°C (1220 °F), and a boiling point of approximately 2270°C (4118 °F). It is stable against normal atmospheric corrosion, but attacked by both acids and alkalis. Aluminum is light weight, ductile, malleable, and conducts electricity with very little resistance. Aluminum is often alloyed with other metals to improve its tensile strength and resistance to acids and alkalis. Pure aluminum is refined from alumina, a common oxide found in bauxite ore. Aluminum is second only to steel in consumption. Aluminum is heavily used in the transportation, packaging, building, electronics industries. Its principle uses in steel making include: deoxidation, restricting grain growth (by forming dispersed oxides or nitrides), and as an alloying element in nitriding steel.