Benefits of Aluminum

We may be somewhat biased at Aleris, but aluminum is a special material, touching our lives in countless, unseen ways.  Hundreds of products are created that are more lightweight, yet more durable, stronger, and longer lasting are created, impacting many goods across a variety of industries: packaging, electrical, industrial, transportation, aerospace and weapons, food, chemical, petroleum, as well as building and construction. 

A Unique Combination of Properties

The tensile strength of pure aluminum is very limited.  However, mix it with other elements and aluminum becomes very strong.  When cold-rolled, an aluminum alloy becomes even stronger, sometimes doubling in strength.  Some alloys also strengthen and harden by heat treatments, which increase their tensile strengths dramatically.  Because aluminum is lightweight, pliable, resistant to corrosion and extreme temperatures, and a good conductor of electricity, it is the preferred solution for thousands of products in many diverse industries.

A Valuable, Highly Renewable Resource

Aluminum is one of the most versatile and abundant raw materials found in the earth’s crust.  But that doesn’t mean we can, or should, be wasteful.  One important advantage of aluminum is its sustainability and the fact that it can be recycled repeatedly, quickly, and cost-efficiently -- without any material decline in performance or quality.  Since 1950, the amount of aluminum used and recycled in manufactured products has increased and the industry overall produces about $40 billion of it.  Today, an aluminum can is one of the most valuable containers to recycle, but other products such as siding, gutters, car parts, storm windows, door frames and lawn furniture can all be recycled as well.