aluminum [Al]

Introduction

From the Latin alumen meaning alum. Discovered in 1825 by Danish chemist Hans Christian Oersted

Occurrence

• the most abundant metal in the earth's crust,
• always occurs in combination with other elements
• nearly all of the world's aluminum is obtained by isolation from aluminum oxide (Al2O3), derived from bauxite ore

Characteristics

• blueish silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic element with:
  • good electrical & thermal conductivity
  • high reflectivity (radiation)
• resistance to oxidation derives from thin, transparent coating of aluminum oxide

Uses

• used to make cans, kegs, wrapping foil & household utensils
• manufacture of motor vehicles
• aircraft
• construction

Laboratory

• aluminum in specimen
  • aluminum in air
  • aluminum in hair
  • aluminum in water
  • aluminum in tissue
  • aluminum in erythrocytes
  • aluminum in body fluid
    • aluminum in blood
    • aluminum in CSF
    • aluminum in dialysis fluid
    • aluminum in serum/plasma
    • aluminum in urine

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

More specific terms

• yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG)

Additional terms

• Al+3 (aluminum ion)
• periodic table

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=14488