Aluminium definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

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noun Chiefly British Variant of aluminum.

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Chemical symbol Al; atomic weight 27.1. A metal of silver-white color and brilliant luster, about as hard as zinc, very malleable and ductile, highly sonorous, and a good conductor of heat and electricity. Its most remarkable character is its low specific gravity (2.56), which is about one third that of iron and less than that of marble. It does not tarnish in the air, and even in a molten state does not oxidize; its melting-point is somewhat lower than that of silver. Aluminium in combination with oxygen (Al₂O₃) forms the common earth alumina, which exists in nature as the mineral corundum, of which the ruby, sapphire, and emery are varieties; the hydrated sesquioxid exists as the minerals diaspore, gibbsite, and bauxite. Alumina also enters into the composition of a very large number of minerals, the most important of which are the feldspars. From the decomposition of these, clay (kaolin, etc.) is produced, which is essentially a hydrated silicate of aluminium. Among other important minerals containing aluminium are the silicates andalusite, cyanite. fibrolite, topaz, and all of the zeolites; the fluoride of aluminium and sodium, cryolite, from which the metal is reduced; the oxid of aluminium and magnesium, spinel; the sulphates aluminite, alum-stone, the alums, etc.; the phosphates turquoise, lazulite, etc.; the carbonate dawsonite, and many others. It is estimated that in its various compounds aluminium forms about one twelfth of the crust of the earth. In consequence of its very low specific gravity, freedom from tarnish, non-poisonous qualities, and ease of working, aluminium is a most valuable metal, and would be extensively used if it were not for the cost of separating it from the combinations in which it occurs in nature. It is used, however, to a limited extent by itself and in alloys for physical apparatus and other articles in which lightness and great strength are necessary. The cap of the Washington monument, which forms the tip of its lightning-rod, is a pyramidal mass of aluminium weighing 100 ounces. Also written aluminum.
Aluminium bronze an alloy of 9 parts of copper with 1 of aluminium. It resembles gold in luster and color, and is used as a cheap imitation of that metal. Unlike gold, however, it gradually tarnishes on exposure to the air. It is much used in cheap jewelry and ornamental work, and also for a great variety of industrial purposes, especially for bearings in machinery.
Aluminium silver a compound formed by the addition of a small amount of silver to aluminium. It is said that 3 per cent. of silver is sufficient to give to aluminium the color and brilliancy of pure silver, over which it has the great advantage of not being tarnished by sulphureted hydrogen.

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Recyclers of other materials like steel, plastics, glass and aluminium are also crying foul, as they get no help from a trading scheme. — Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming RSS Newsfeed
Troubles afflicting the motor manufacturing industry have affected demand for aluminium, as has a broader downturn in electrical appliances. — The Guardian World News
The black brushed aluminium is attractive, but we did find it was a real fingerprint magnet. — Atomic
Material: metal of aeroplane - aluminium, silver anodization processed splashed water-and shock - proof — maple.nu - published
The best optical tube for outdoor is the aluminium which is the kind in this telescope. — MyLinkVault Newest Links

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aluminium

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