A unique combination of properties puts aluminium and its alloys among our most versatile engineering and construction materials. All alloys are light in weight, yet some have strengths greater than that of structural steel. The majority of alloys are highly durable under the majority of service conditions and no coloured salts are formed to stain adjacent surfaces or discolour products with which they come in contact, such as fabrics in the textile industry and solutions in chemical equipment. They have no toxic reaction. Aluminium and most of its alloys have good electrical and thermal conductivities and high reflectivity to both heat and light.
Aluminium and most of its alloys can easily be worked into any form and readily accept a wide variety of surface finishes.
Light weight is perhaps the best known characteristic of aluminium, with density of approximately 2.73 x 103 kilograms per cubic metre at 200C as compared with 8.89 x 103 for copper and 7.86 x 103 for carbon steel.
