April 19, 2023

Why Aluminum is a Great Building Material

If you are looking for a construction material that will last you long and you can recycle as many times as possible, aluminum is the answer.

Not only is it readily available, since it is the most abundant metal found naturally on Earth. But it is also lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

There is more to this versatile building material.

So, here is why you should utilize aluminum as a building material.

Aluminum is Lightweight and Easy to Fabricate

Aluminum is an excellent choice for various architectural applications due to its low density, therefore, making it lightweight.

Also, since it is three times lighter than iron, you can fabricate it into different shapes and forms.

It also has high malleability and durability, making it easier to bend, cut, as well as shape.

Moreover, it is cost-effective as it reduces transportation expenses by being lightweight, thus lowering carbon footprint.

This makes it a popular choice for architectural designs for window frames, curtain rails and exterior cladding.

Aluminum is Durable and Corrosion-resistant

Because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, studies show that aluminum is a very durable metal, and it can survive extreme weather conditions without breaking or reshaping.

Furthermore, as a thin strong layer of oxide film covers its surface, aluminum is corrosion-resistant, which adds to its durability and endurance.

Therefore it is a great choice for use in structures subjected to heavy use or extreme weather conditions since it resists corrosion.

For example, you can use it on window frames, roofing, and siding because it can withstand exposure to moisture, wind, and UV radiation without deteriorating.

Aluminum is Sustainable

Aluminum is sustainable because:

Recycling aluminum uses only 5% of the energy needed for extracting it from the ore. In contrast, aluminum extraction after mining bauxite ore requires a lot of electricity.
After recycling, it takes at most 60 days to return as a new one, which is a high turn-around time.
There is no wastage with aluminum. 75 % of all aluminum ever made is still in use because of recycling. Therefore, it reduces the number of building materials that end up in landfills while promoting a more sustainable approach to material use.

Therefore, you can reuse aluminum without losing its original properties or strength. Also, during recycling, it emits fewer greenhouse gases than extracting it from its bauxite ore.

Aluminum Works Well in Cryogenics

Cryogenics is the behaviour of materials at low temperatures. There are various applications for Cryogenics such as

For gases used in the transportation of large amounts of frozen foods.
Storage of rare blood groups that need a temperature of -165°C at blood banks.
Cryosurgery; where a surgeon applies cryogenic temperatures to destroy and kill cancer cells.
Cryogenic freezing to preserve organs, blood, embryos and sperm at -196°C in a liquid nitrogen bath.

But for these cryogenic applications to work, they must be in materials with low thermal conductivity and a high strength-to-weight ratio.

And this is where aluminum comes to play.

Aluminum has many benefits that make it perfect for cryogenics, as shown in the table below.

Benefit	Description
High strength-to-weight ratio	You can use Aluminum to build cryogenic tanks, which need to be strong enough to contain low-temperature fluids. This is because aluminum is lightweight but can withstand high stresses and pressure associated with cryogenic applications.
Low thermal conductivity	Aluminum does not transfer heat easily. Thus, it is the perfect insulator for cryogenic tanks to keep the fluids at extremely low temperatures and for long.
Corrosion resistance	Since aluminum is corrosion resistant, it ensures that the cryogenic systems and components are safe from rust because the fluid can be highly reactive.
Ease of fabrication	Most cryogenic systems need to be custom designed to fit specific applications.Aluminum makes this possible since it is a highly ductile material, so you can fabricate it into complex shapes and sizes.
Recyclability	Aluminum helps conserve resources as you can recycle it and still remain usable.

Use Aluminum for Building

Aluminium’s unique combination of durability, corrosion resistance, sustainability, and versatility make it a great building material.

This is why at Atlas Sun Systems we commonly use it across our construction projects, especially on outdoor railings, sunrooms, pergolas and patio covers.

Additionally, aluminum can withstand harsh environmental conditions and uses less energy when recycling.

All these factors make it a popular option for us, given that we prioritize sustainability and long-term performance.