Aluninium, Copper, Magmesium Maerial basic properties

ALUMINUM
Definition
Aluminum is a silver-white soft metal. It is the most abundant metallic element in the earth's crust. It is found in bauxite combined with oxygen and other elements and must be converted into its metallic state. In ordinary commercial and industrial use, the word "aluminum" is often understood to mean aluminum alloy, rather than pure metal. Aluminum is unique in that it is fully and repeatedly recyclable. Aluminum can be recycled over and over without any degradation or loss of its innate characteristics. The recyclability of aluminum makes it environmentally friendly

Machining and uses
The addition of alloying elements modifies the properties and characteristics of aluminum. Such aspects as density, electrical and thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, mechanical properties, ability to finish and harden, and corrosion resistance are all affected by combining the alloying elements with aluminum. Alloying alone does not provide aluminum with all of its desirable characteristics. Aluminum temper is the controlled hardness and strength imparted to aluminum by mechanical or thermal treatments. Properly alloyed and tempered aluminum is one of the most versatile and cost effective materials available.

The Aluminum Industry encompasses the following segments: can, casting, extrusion, foil, plate, refining, sheet, scrap, and smelting. Business cycles, innovations and activities of each segment influence the other segments in terms of cost and material availability. Penn Aluminum participates in the aluminum extrusion segment.
Resources and reserves

Aluminum is concentrated in the outer 16 km of the Earth’s crust, of which it constitutes about 8 percent by weight; it is exceeded in amount only by oxygen and silicon. Also, it is the most using metal after iron.



COPPER
Definition

Copper is ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant, Diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor. Its atomic number is 29. Symbol Cu. Atomic weight 63.3. It is one of the most useful metals in itself, and also in its alloys, brass and bronze.

Machining and uses

Copper is the only metal which occurs native abundantly in large masses; it is found also in various ores, of which the most important are chalcopyrite, chalcocite, cuprite, and malachite. Copper mixed with tin forms, bell metal; with a smaller proportion, bronze; and with zinc, it forms brass, pinchbeck, and other alloy. Also coins are made of copper; a penny, cent, or other minor coin of copper.
Franklin said: “My friends filled my pockets with coppers.”


Resources and reserves

The amount of copper in the world is between 400-525 million tons. Chine and USA get the highest share with %19 and %18. In Turkey, Murgul/Artvin, Kastamonu,Çayeli/Rize, Maden/Elazığ and Ergani/Diyarbakır are the most important reserves.
An interesting point is that the three richest countries (USA, Japanese, and Germany) are also the ones that get the biggest slice of copper manufacturing.

MAGNESIUM

Definition

Magnesium is a light silver-white malleable, and ductile bivalent metallic element; in pure form it burns with brilliant white flame; occurs naturally only in combination (as in magnesite and dolomite and carnallite and spinel and olivine). It is quite permanent in dry air but tarnishing in moist air. Symbol Mg. Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity 1.75.
Magnesium has good damping properties, better thermal conductivity than steel, and lower electrical conductivity than copper and aluminum but higher than iron or steel.

Machining and uses

It burns, forming (the oxide) magnesia, with the production of a blinding light (the so-called magnesium light) which is used in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in photography where a strong. Actinic illuminant is required. Its compounds occur abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc.

Resources and reserves

Magnesium is in the earth with %2.5 ratio and in the sweater with %0.13. Therefore, there is an almost inexhaustible reserve. Oceans are the basic reserves of magnesium.