Aluminium - Foam

Aluminium was discovered by Hans Oersted in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1825. Aluminium is a silvery white reactive metal which is usually covered by a tenacious oxide coating. This renders it inert to acids, but it is attacked by alkalies. It is the most common metallic element in the earth's crust (82000 ppm) and is extracted from the hydrated oxide, Bauxite, by electrolysis of the oxide dissolved in molten sodium hexafluoroaluminate (cryolite). The metal has good thermal properties and is malleable and ductile. Aluminium and its alloys are widely used for various applications including aircraft assemblies and engine parts. Foam - A low density, permeable structure of cells and continuous ligaments offering a high surface area to volume ratio, and also a high strength to weight ratio. Owing to the nature of this material, dimensions are nominal.