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From bauxite to end product:
Aluminium is not extracted as a ready product, like gold and
silver, but it is produced. |
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bauxiet |
persstaven (t.b.v. extrusie) |
diverse profielen |
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The most important base material for aluminium is bauxite, from
which alumina is extracted. Fluid aluminium is released through
electrolysis. In the foundry it is cleaned and mixed with other
substances to produce certain qualities. Then roller slices
and pressing bars are cast. Following this, sections or sheets
are produced through extruding or rolling. These semi-finished
products require a surface treatment in order to combat undesirable
corrosion........: |
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anodiseren |
geanodiseerde
en ingekleurde profielen |
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this is where Alucol plays a role: the aluminium is anodised.
Before and sometimes after the surface treatment the semi-finished
product may be treated (mechanically) once again, for example
by brushing, polishing, sawing, milling, drilling and bending
the product. Aluminium has a very broad and wide range of applications
and is applied in almost all industrial sectors. The use of
aluminium increases every year with regard to volume, evidence
and added value. The success of aluminium is in particular based
on the technical, sustainability and aesthetic qualities of
the material. Aluminium is often the basis for product innovations.
It is a high-tech material, but also very suitable for more
'everyday ' applications. Aluminium can be recycled to a great
extent, while its quality is retained. The aesthetic representative
quality is extremely varied, because of its many moulding and
finishing options, including anodising. |
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Aluminium is the most frequently applied metal after steel.
Aluminium has an incredible number of very positive qualities:
1) Light: Aluminium is a very light metal (density of 2.7.10³
kg/m³): it is about a third of the weight of steel
2)
Strong: Depending on the type of alloy, the strength of aluminium
varies. This means that aluminium is suitable for many different
applications.
3) Weather-resistant: Anodised aluminium is very weather-resistant
and is therefore often used in outside applications.
4) Decorative: Untreated aluminium looks beautiful, but through
an anodising treatment, for example, the surface of aluminium
can be made more beautiful and even better protected.
5) Highly conductive: Aluminium is very suitable for conducting
electricity. The ratio conductibility/density is twice as
favourable as that of copper.
6) Anodised aluminium insulates electrically; a quality which
is interesting for certain applications.
7) Can be processed well: Aluminium is easily mouldable because
of the low melting temperature. Due to the excellent mouldability
aluminium (sections) can be given every form through extrusion
and rolling. In addition, aluminium can also be moulded very
well through casting.
8) Not toxic: Aluminium does not issue any toxic substances
and is therefore frequently used for packaging consumption
items.
9) Abundantly present: Eight percent of the earth crust consists
of aluminium. Aluminium is the most frequently found element
on earth after oxygen and silicon.
10) 100% recyclable, therefore it is sustainable: At the end
of the service life aluminium can be recycled with very little
energy, while its quality is retained. The remelting only
requires 5 percent of the energy that was originally required
for the production of primary aluminium.
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