Aluminum

Aluminum is a strong and low-maintenance railing material. It usually has a powder or PVC coat finish that both prevents corrosion and serves as a decoration. Aluminum railings provide excellent…

Freshly painted fascia board is attractive. Within a couple of years, however, the paint can start to peel and you’re looking at a weekend of climbing up and down a tall ladder to scrape, prime…

An aluminum gazebo provides a strong outdoor structure. It's useful for entertaining as most have canopies and a mosquito screen to protect you and your guests from bugs, wind and other outdoor…

If you are in the market for a new faucet, your choices may seem endless. With some faucets costing considerably more or less than others, knowing a few things about how they're made will help you…

Aluminum floor plates are used in industrial settings, such as walkways, aircrafts and ambulance floors, where slip-resistant platforms are crucial. Unlike steel, aluminum is corrosion resistant,…

Aluminum pipe is used in industry, manufacturing, mining, wastewater treatment, construction and agricultural irrigation. Lightweight and portable, aluminum pipe is available in different lengths and…

The term aluminum laptops refers to notebook computers housed in aluminum enclosures. Several major computer manufacturers have begun to move away from traditional rigid plastic enclosures and toward…

Performing a teardown on any computer is difficult, and particularly on Apple products. The same engineering that makes Apple products durable also makes disassembly difficult, even when removing the…

Aluminum sweat furnaces are used in the recycling industry for the purpose of turning aluminum scrap metal into blocks of recycled material. Sweat furnaces generally operate at extremely high…

Aluminum shutters are a durable alternative to wooden shutters. With a coat of paint they look nearly identical to wood, but will never rot or split. One of the best ways to get even paint coverage on…

HVAC, or heating, venting, air conditioning, tubes carry air to or from the furnace or the blower for an air conditioner. The tubes, also known as ducts, may be made of a variety of substances,…

Aluminum soffit has the advantage of never needing to be painted, which makes maintaining the exterior of your home much easier. Installing aluminum soffit panels is a fairly simple home improvement…

Replacing old, damaged or stained aluminum soffits will freshen up the appearance of your home. The soffits are under the eaves of the house and will stain over time. Birds or other animals can also…

Aluminum shutters provide an economical and functional solution to adding curb appeal to the home. Aluminum shutters are a lightweight and corrosion-resistant way to block out the light and utilize…

Aluminum and wood have some very different properties, and they each have pros and cons as patio covers. One material is not necessarily better than the other; the ideal patio cover choice depends on…

The aluminum super rod is a heavy-duty piston connecting rod. The super rod is used in larger horsepower engines that require a more durable connection between the crank and the piston. Connecting…

Aluminum has two advantages over steel. First, it is lightweight. Second, it is stronger than most grades of steel. Over the last 30 years or so, aluminum has developed a bad reputation for welding.…

Aluminum road cases are typically used to transport different types of sensitive equipment such as microphones, keyboards, computers or cameras. If the aluminum edging on the case is worn or broken,…

Aluminum is lightweight and cost effective, thus many porches in the United States are outfitted with aluminum roofs or walls. If you wish to attach plants or hang other outdoor decorations to an…

If you like to spend a lot of time outside, a patio provides an ideal space. If you leave a patio uncovered, though, the time that you can spend outside is more limited than if the patio had an…

Items on shelves often get more attention than the materials needed to install shelves. However, brackets and standards are just as important as the wood or glass shelves. Aluminum brackets come in…

Aluminum is used in a number of manufactured products ranging from mechanical equipment to automobiles and airplanes. Pieces of aluminum are joined together to make flawless seams using a process…

Metal awnings offer homeowners energy savings and comfort for their home interiors with an attractive and durable material. Awnings help to block solar heat from warming the interior of the home and…

Soffits are flat panels with slots or perforations that reside at the edge of the roof under the eaves. The holes or slots suck up external air and transport it up through the underside of the roof…

An aluminum patio cover allows you to enjoy this outdoor feature in different types of weather, providing protection from bright sun and pouring rain. Adding decorations such as hanging floral baskets…

When you accidentally get a hole in your crankcase, your first reaction may be that the engine is ruined. Oil will leak out and your engine will not run. If the crankcase is made of cast aluminum, you…

Lasagna is a meal ideal for feeding a large group of people at a potluck or to have leftovers for a few days. By changing ingredients, you can make a different variation of the dish each time you cook…

Aluminum welding can be done by hobbyists on a part-time basis or by someone looking for a full-time career. Tricks of the trade, such as making sure to clean the aluminum surface thoroughly before…

When constructing a home, the materials you choose can make a difference in your wallet as well as the overall aesthetic of the home. Aluminum is used for several parts of a home’s construction,…

Periodically, even the dishwasher itself must be cleaned, inside and out - especially if the aluminum finish has lost its shine. Avoiding potentially expensive chemical cleaners and polish, you can…

Patios and decks are great places to relax and enjoy friends and family. Open patios or decks may provide a clear view of neighboring scenery but disallow use during rainy days or seasonal changes. An…

Aluminum is a metal that is used for many household products, including deck and porch railings, light fixtures and outdoor furniture. Unlike steel, aluminum resists corrosion by moisture and air when…

Most grouts are cementitous, meaning a part of their physical makeup is cement. Cement contains alkali hydroxides, which cause or encourages corrosion in aluminum. This process is particularly…

As of late 2011, all Apple laptops are MacBooks made from a single machined block of polycarbonate plastic or aluminum. These are called "unibody" MacBooks and were introduced at various…

Knowing how to use a welder and cutting equipment is essential when building a homemade aluminum smelter. Smelting aluminum means extracting the metal from its raw ore or material. Aluminum oxide --…

Capture the allure of soaring aircraft by transforming an aluminum soda can into a model airplane's aluminum propeller. With a few tools and some aluminum cans, making the propeller can be fun for…

Aluminum has a range of uses from foil used in the kitchen to the bodywork of classic motor cars. Other common uses for aluminum include soda cans and kitchen sinks. Cracks in aluminum surfaces in the…

Roller rockers are an effective design change over standard rockers, increasing the engine's overall efficiency and performance. Small-block Chevrolet engines, or SBCs, are some of the best-known…

A toroid is a geometric shape like a ring or a washer. A torroid with a rounded profile or cross section like a doughnut is also called a torus. While the toroid always forms a circle with a hollow…

Aluminum blind slats are low maintenance, but they can easily become bent. Fixing an aluminum slat blind involves restoring it to its original shape. Unfortunately, aluminum slats will not return to…

Cooking food with too much heat or neglecting it on the stove top causes burned food. Burned food sticks to the surface of an aluminum pot, which creates a stubborn stain that seems impossible to…

Aluminum patio awnings can be painted any color, are durable and can withstand the elements for years. But for all of the advantages of an aluminum patio cover, it has disadvantages as well. Consider…

Aluminum is a lightweight, soft, flexible metal. It is used to make pipes, car parts, tubing, culverts and even soup cans. To cut this soft metal with a hacksaw, you need to use the correct blade. If…

Aluminum additions, such as a sunroom, greenhouse or enclosed patio, can be constructed with 2-inch by 6-inch (2x6) wood framing for the walls and roof, installing aluminum windows and cladding to the…

Extrusions are linear products with a fixed cross-section, or profile. The material characteristics of aluminum alloys make them a preferred metal for the extrusion process. Extruded aluminum shapes…

When working with aluminum, it is important to use the proper grade for the job you’re doing as the grade of aluminum helps determine its use. Aluminum is graded by the manufacturer for its…

Aluminum is a soft, naturally porous material used to create pots and pans that effectively distribute heat, and are lightweight and affordable. Unfortunately, new aluminum cookware is vulnerable to…

Aluminum sub-panels are used in roofing applications. Aluminum paneled roofing is often found on barns and houses in rural areas. These aluminum panels are an alternative to the more commonly used…

Forging is a process of shaping metal while placing materials under high pressure. This process creates very strong aluminum parts. Casting involves placing molten metal into a mold, which has a…

Aluminum slopes can serve a variety of purposes for science or recreational projects. While the metal is not sturdy enough for heavy vehicles, you can use it to make a sloped track to race toy cars,…

Aluminum derives from bauxite ore or recycled aluminum scrap. It is combined with oxygen and other elements in bauxite ore. After extraction and processing, pure aluminum is a soft, silvery-white…

The material that kitchen pots are made out of plays a significant part in the quality of the cookware. Teflon and aluminum have different cooking qualities, costs, heat retention and durability.…

Aluminum is a useful material for vehicles, furniture, building and packaging. It is conductive metal that does not corrode easily and is very lightweight. The metal evaporates at high heat and…

An aluminum carport can provide protection from the sun, wind, snow and rain. Carports are usually attached to the side of your home or garage. They are typically open-sided, free-standing structures…

Aluminum castings take on various forms, many of which may include bored features. Transmission housings and alternator brackets are two such examples of castings that have bored features that should…

J-pole antennas are popular amateur radio projects for the home builder. These antennas do not require a ground plane and offer broad bandwidth, so if the dimensions are carefully followed, the…

If you have a project where you need specific sizes of aluminum tubing or you plan on repeatedly shaping many aluminum tubes, you may wish to shape your own aluminum tubing instead of purchasing it.…

Aluminum (also spelled aluminium) is the most-abundant metal on earth and the third-most abundant element overall after oxygen and silicon. As is common with all metals, aluminum can be bent or cast…

A rivet is a permanent metal fastener that is used to connect two pieces of metal together. It can also be employed when attaching pieces of solid materials like leather. It is the ideal way of…

Builders use aluminum dome rods to construct dome-shaped structures. One of the most common structures in which they are used is a dome-shaped tent. Aluminum dome rods come in various lengths and…

Aluminum, also known as aluminium, is a soft, silver-white metal. It is lightweight, highly reflective, corrosion resistant, as well as thermally and electrically conductive. It is the most abundant…

Making aluminum shrink is a handy trick to master if you need to reduce the size of metal. Thin aluminum if often stretched wide to prefabricated lengths. The idea, according to Body Shop Business, is…

Within the field of metallurgy, one of the more important metrics when it comes to manufacturing is a metal's particular hardness or resistance to abrasion. Aluminum is one of the softer, more pliable…

Many tables and other aluminum objects are designed to be assembled, so they have holes threaded for bolts. If you are using an aluminum object for another purpose, you may find that the bolt holes…

Aluminum tubing is similar to metal tubing. It comes in various thicknesses and lengths, depending on what application you are using it for. While aluminum tubing is most often used for structures,…

Aluminum comes in many different forms and is used for various applications. It is common in HVAC and refrigeration along with duct work. If you have a lot of scrap aluminum and it is difficult to…

Fish finders are good gadgets to have on board your boat, not just for identifying fish but for also spotting underwater logs or rocks that could seriously harm your boat if you crashed into them.…

Aluminum is a popular building material, and aluminum composite panels are an inexpensive way to take advantage of aluminum's benefits while protecting or designing a structure. Aluminum composite…

Aluminium dichromate is a chemical compound that is mostly used for industrial applications. It is manufactured as dry granules that dissolve easily in water, releasing aluminium and chromium ions in…

Highly acidic foods, such as tomatoes and citrus, react with aluminum and cause it to leach metal. Maple sap has low-acid content, making it suited for use in aluminum pans when boiling -- the primary…

Nickel, aluminum and bronze are very hard types of metal. They are used for different applications, including arts and crafts around the house, which can sometimes require you to bend them to certain…

Ramps have many purposes but are most useful for people with disabilities when they are entering a building or getting into and out of a vehicle. If you need to add a ramp for use with your vehicle or…

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. It is a material that is commonly used to make everyday objects due to its easily obtainable nature, light weight, corrosion resistance and…

Aluminum and steel car bodies have a lot in common when it comes to performing repair work prior to painting. The use of lightweight body filler, when used in moderation, has no effect on the handling…

Aluminum is a silvery metal commonly used in building and construction as well as the manufacture of consumer goods and tools. It is prized for its high strength to weight ratio and its resistance to…

Aluminum and other sheet metals can be bent and shaped over bases made of wood. Hammering forms the metal to the shape of the wood, and hammering against a wood plank will prevent damage to the…

Capacitors are electronic components that store electric charges and block direct current while allowing alternating current to pass through the circuit. Although capacitors are generally composed of…

Welding cast aluminum to an extruded aluminum pipe presents few, if any problems with the right metal inert gas (MIG) welding setup and wire. What would cause a problem is if the pipe were made of…

The biggest problem that many people have when welding aluminum is that the material is much softer than steel and so welds much more quickly. It is also much easier to burn through aluminum,…

Choosing railings for your home requires consideration of a number of different factors, including budget limitations, how much maintenance you want to do and the design of your home's exterior. Both…

Tile backsplashes are common in modern kitchens but metal backsplashes are becoming more popular. Metal backsplashes made from materials like tin and aluminum give your kitchen a unique and modern…

You can melt and cast aluminum in your home safely if you have the right materials and use appropriate precautions. You will need a metal melting furnace to bring the scrap aluminum to temperatures…

On either a computer numerical control lathe, also called a CNC lathe, or a manual lathe, the material spins while a tool is used to cut it. The tool itself moves along the coordinate plane and…

Aluminum is a versatile material for casting. Many everyday items, especially automotive parts, are cast from molten aluminum. However, professional and industrial aluminum casting techniques require…

A brushed aluminum backsplash gives a modern feel to a kitchen. Additionally, brushed aluminum is easy to keep clean. Grease and food particles do not have any grout to get stuck in, and a simple…

Transportation models are an interesting way for kids to learn about physics. They can also be a great way for parents and children to bond, but commercial model kits can be too expensive for fixed…

Chrome is a mixture of two metals that are applied to another metal using electricity and chemical processes. Many motorcycle parts and some car parts are chromed to give the vehicle a sharp edge or…

Pure aluminum is soft and, therefore, may not be ideal for building strong structures. For this application, mineral elements must be added to pure aluminum to make it stronger. These additional…

Cucumbers are almost entirely water. At about 96 percent water content, cucumbers produce intestinal gas in sensitive people, but there is no space for naturally accruing aluminum. Cucumbers do not…

A ladder is useful to have around your home to reach those cupboards and boxes in higher areas, especially if you're vertically challenged. You can purchase ladders in a variety of materials,…

Extruded aluminum rail is used to build rip fences, and create window frames and car parts. Extruded aluminum rails can be hollow or solid. Extruded aluminum rails are used due to their light weight…

Aluminum bronze refers to the alloys made from copper and aluminum. The aluminum content in these alloys range from 5 to 12 percent. When compared to other alloys made from tin, the aluminum bronze is…

Aluminum is a common building material that can easily be manipulated for use in everything from consumer food packaging products to jet fuel. Car, boat and plane parts are often made from aluminum,…

Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metals due to its versatility. Aluminum has a high resistance to corrosion, which makes it ideal for outdoor applications. It has a high strength-to-weight…

Aluminum weld rods are made of solid aluminum alloys. Used in construction applications including irrigation pipes, banisters, loading ramps and truck beds, aluminum weld rods come in bulk packs,…

Plasma cutters are known for their ability to cut quickly and produce high cut quality. They can also cut both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, even through paint or rust.

If you have a cleanup job, bleach is one of the most common cleaning products. But you can't use bleach on everything. You have to be careful about using certain chemicals like bleach in certain…

Aluminum is lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant, which also makes it an appropriate choice for trim on equipment. Aluminum comes in several grades depending on the other materials included in…

Soda cans come in a wide variety of bright colors, and the sturdy, yet pliable aluminum makes excellent building material for a crafts project. When you want to work with aluminum soda cans for craft…

Be very careful when attempting to bend aircraft aluminum. Aluminum is metal, but it is softer and more brittle than most metals. Heat builds when force is applied to aluminum, and that heat can bend…

The most common method used to cast metals is sandcasting. This process uses common silica sand to create a cast that you can pour molten iron into. Iron melts at between 1175 and 1290 degrees…

Aluminum is a common metal used in making household items such as cooking pans. In order to transform the raw aluminum into those items, it undergoes a process known as casting. Casting is the process…

Soldering is a method of melting a soft metal and applying it to a copper wire or printed circuit board to affix a component or wire to it. The components must be cleaned, wires need their insulating…

Firefighters perform selfless acts of courage on a daily basis. It's no wonder why adults respect and appreciate them and children admire them. At some point in their childhood, many children want to…

Aluminum is in use everywhere around us. It is lightweight and durable, allowing cars, planes and other vehicles constructed thereof to be more energy efficient. It is inexpensive compared to other…

Aluminum has a high strength-to-weight ratio, and its patina is the same color as the metal. Therefore, many industries use aluminum, in place of steel or plastic, for strong, lightweight parts that…

Adding a mill finish to aluminum is performed as a finishing pass with an end mill. You can use the same end mill to perform the roughing and finishing passes, but you must make sure you are using the…

Flocculation is the process in which tiny solid particles that are suspended in water with a high negative electric charge. This process involves mixing a highly ionized substance into the water to…

The unique qualities of aluminum make it a valuable component in many everyday and industrial uses. It is lightweight, strong, resists corrosion, is nonmagnetic and does not spark. While other metals…

A computer motherboard is a printed circuit board, or PCB, that contains the main microprocessor as well as a large number of other active and passive electronic components. Active components are the…

If you own a small plane or private jet, it's important to maintain it regularly so that not only does the engine work effectively, but the rest of the plane looks tip-top and continues to serve your…

Acrylic plastic shafts are just one shape of the strong, lightweight, clear plastic commercially available for craftsmen and artists. Acrylic shafts are sometimes known as acrylic rods, depending on…

Titanium nitride can be used to plate objects made of aluminum, steel, carbide or titanium alloys. Plating of this kind is used to strengthen and protect surfaces; usually the resultant thin coating…

Deoxidizing aluminum to remove stains will restore the naturally shiny finish and give old objects a quick facelift. Commercial treatments achieve the greatest results, but even simple processes…

Craft snips are a type of scissors smaller than standard scissors and designed to fit in the palm of your hand. While not suitable for every cutting task, ease of use is the advantage snips have over…

The melting point of a solid compound depends on its molecular structure, and aluminum cans are no exception to this rule. Bob Dick and Andy Trageser at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center say that…

Prevalent in everything from MP3 players to industrial-grade extension ladders, aluminum is a widely used mineral that is sought after because it is lightweight and offers a desirable balance between…

Aluminum is often used for fittings with different applications, whether in household plumbing, store fixtures, safety barriers or braking systems. Aluminum fittings have advantages and disadvantages,…

Polishing an aluminum boat to a mirror-like surface can be done using the same technique for polishing any aluminum surface. The technique involves removing surface with a buffing compound then…

Clay is an easy-to-use medium used in the formation of sculptures. Unlike metal, stone and plaster, clay is soft, malleable and may be molded many times before it hardens. Unfortunately, these same…

Aluminum cans are everywhere. Some people collect them, like stamps or coins, while others find and recycle discarded beverage cans for the money or to protect the environment. The facts stack up:…

Capacitors are fundamental electronic components consisting of an insulator between a pair of metal foils. A voltage between the foils stores an electric charge in the insulator, and the capacitor's…

Transposition is the act of transposing. Generally, to transpose something is simply to change it. More specifically, transposing suggests that the change is a reversal of a sequence or the inverse of…

Aluminum alloys are softer and more malleable than steel and other metals, which makes them preferable for machining projects on small lathes. Unfortunately, aluminum parts are more susceptible to…

Scrap aluminum from foil or drinks cans can be melted down using a propane blowtorch. The metal has a melting point of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit (660 degrees Celsius), but ordinary propane blowtorches…

The two types of fascia used on houses are aluminum and vinyl. Fascia is the vertical surface found on the eave of the roof. Aluminum fascia is covered in a layer of factory-finished aluminum that can…

Aluminum is the most abundant element in the earth's crust, but it is never found in its pure form in nature. It took about 100 years from the notion that bauxite contained an unknown element…

With the rising cost of precious metals, it might be a good idea to melt some of your silverware to make ends meet. Make sure you are melting actual silverware made from silver. Silver has a melting…

Melting aluminum requires a few specific tools. The process of melting aluminum, or any other metal, is a dangerous one, so all necessary precautions must be taken. Before melting large amounts,…

Aluminum is a soft, lightweight metal, but it can be combined, or alloyed, with other metals to produce aluminum wire with different strengths, conductivities and other characteristics. Indeed,…

Pig lead is crude lead that comes in ingots ranging from 5 lbs to several hundred pounds. Many home hobbyists use it for creating fishing lures, diving weights, hand-cast bullets and miniature toys.…

Dying aluminum uses a process that changes the aluminum from its normal color to an anodized state. The anodizing process not only colors the aluminum but increases the hardness of the aluminum…

Capacitors are fundamental electronic components. They store electric charges in all kinds of circuits, including those for computers, cell phones and audio gear. Most capacitors share a common…

Engineers prize aluminum for its low density. Aluminum pipes are therefore lighter than alternatives, and the tough oxide layer that forms on the pipe helps the material to resist moisture. The metal…

Aluminum -- the most abundant metal -- is found in beverage cans, boats, siding, foil, airplanes, pots, pans, lightbulbs, utensils and antiperspirants. The strength and density of a metal play…

At the forefront of many environmental endeavors and standards, the California state government provides its citizens with a variety of ways to recycle bottles and cans. Recycling saves energy,…

Capacitors serve as electrical reservoirs, storing and releasing electric charges. These fundamental components are used in all kinds of devices, from televisions and computers to radios and…

Density relates to an object's mass per unit of volume. It was most memorably demonstrated by the Greek mathematician Archimedes, who was called upon to verify whether a crown made for the King of…

The composite density, or solution density, refers to the total density of a chemical mixture or composition of materials. Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume such as pounds per gallon.…

Used for everything from polishing fine jewelry to removing scratches from glass, jeweler's rouge is used by many professionals to put the finishing touch on their projects. Composed of a variety of…

Polyurethane is a common modern wood finish that can be purchased with either an oil or a water base. You may want to thin your polyurethane for a variety of reasons: because you want to your finish…

Aluminum, the Earth's most abundant metallic element, is a cheap but precious commodity. This silver-white metal is strong yet light in weight and second only to iron in its widespread use. Aluminum…

When grinding or polishing even the fussiest materials, using diamond compound paste on a grinding machine allows you to get the most luster, shine and smooth finish out of your piece. The effects of…

Diamond plate aluminum is used in many different applications because of its relative light weight to steel, its textured finish and ability to polish to a nice shine. To get that shine, you need to…

Welding thick metal to thin metal is a challenge all welders face at some point. At the outset it does not seem easy but once you learn the technique, good welds that can be trusted are not hard to…

Cooking for a crowd of friends and family is a great way to entertain. Disposable aluminum pans and trays make serving food easy. The best part is that aluminum pans make the perfect crafting medium…

Before you throw out your aluminum cans, you can try several craft ideas to recycle them. These types of cans are strong enough to make long-lasting, decorative crafts. With just a few other…

Avid fishermen and women can custom make jigs to suit their needs and save money. Jigs are fishing lures made from lead sinkers with an attached hook. The lead sinker can easily be melted at home…

Spot welding is an integral part of almost all metal industries. Steel, the most common manufacturing metal, is also the most frequently welded metal, but aluminum alloys and other metals can be…

Laser welding, or laser beam welding, involves melting metal workpieces with a high intensity beam of light. Spot welding, or resistance spot welding, uses the heat generated by resistance to…

Recycling aluminum cans helps the environment, conserves energy and makes money. A combination of these factors has spurred recycling efforts. According to the Can Manufacturers Institute, 53 million…

Oxyacetylene welding is an extremely versatile form of welding, with which you can weld just about any metal. Oxyacetylene welding brings two pieces of metal together, and melts them together, with a…

Brass is a soft metal used in air conditioning piping, jewelry and musical instruments. If have a broken piece of brass, you can spot weld it with a tungsten inert gas welder. Because of its low…

Use jewelers rouge to buff and polish soft metals such as gold, copper, brass, pewter, sterling silver, silver plate, nickel plate, chrome plate, brass plate and copper plate. Jewelers rouge is a type…

An element is a substance that you can't break down further, whether through a chemical or physical process. More than 100 elements exist on the periodic table. Aluminum appears as the 13th element.…

Aluminum is a soft, lightweight metal with a lower melting point than most manufacturing metals. Many welders are unfamiliar with the proper techniques for welding aluminum and end up destroying…

Aluminum casting is the art of melting aluminum, pouring it into a mold and letting it harden. When it cools it is removed from the mold and has taken the shape of the mold. You can cast aluminum at…

Activated alumina demonstrates the ability to bind many of the common ions found in drinking water, such as chloride ions and fluoride ions. The alumina consists of small, porous particles of aluminum…

Making aluminum nameplates is a low-cost project that produces a durable end result. Customized nameplates purchased from a store can be very expensive, and it can be much more economical and…

Aluminum is used by manufactures to reduce the weight of vehicles, tools and even buildings. The problem arises when you need to weld metals such as aluminum and steel which are not compatible for…

Busbars are heavy-duty conductors used to distribute electrical power from a single source to multiple users, such as an array of machinery or equipment. They are typically made from copper or…

Gas welding, which is used to join many types of metals, includes the processes of brazing and silver soldering. The equipment used in these processes is virtually the same, only the tip changes. In…

Lead is a versatile metal, easily melted and easily molded into a variety of useful shapes. Because of it's weight, fishermen use a variety of molded lead products as lures or weights to reach fish at…

Plasma is a type of gas matter that uses electricity; the more electricity the plasma conducts, the hotter it becomes, and the easier it is for it to cut through materials such as metal. Plasma…

Welding aluminium is a complex process that requires skill and precision. When learning how to weld aluminium, you can look up local courses or classes to help you get started. However, you can also…

Aluminum is a strong, lightweight material which makes it a popular metal for sculptures, jewelry-making and dozens of other crafts. This metal also has a low melting point, so it's possible for…

Arc-welding works by grounding the work piece and running electrical amperage through a stick electrode appropriate for the metal being welded. The stick electrode, aimed at the weld point, is…

Depending on what type of gear you make, some homemade backpacking equipment can be more lightweight and just as effective and durable as professionally made gear. There are a wide variety of plans…

Over time, jewelry can tarnish, darken and start looking dirty. One trick that many jewelers use to keep jewelry looking new is Red Rouge polishing powder. Red Rouge powder, also known as iron(III)…

A sprue is described as a channel where molten or liquid material flows through, and into, a mold. Some sprues are used in injection-molding and in this case, a liquid thermoplastic material is…

The process of anodizing coats metal in an oxide film to protect it. This process is done using electrolysis. Anodizing is often done by manufacturers of various items, but it can be completed at…

Chromium, or chrome, plating is an electrochemical process in which a layer of chrome is deposited on a piece of base metal. The plating is both decorative and corrosion-resistant.

Campers generally don't have a lot of space for equipment. That is one reason building your own compact stove is a great advantage. By using a common item such as soda cans, you can gain the added…

Although some canoes do use aluminum as a material, aluminum alone is too soft to construct an entire canoe of it. Because of this, canoe manufacturers add others metals--like alloy 6061-T4, which is…

Sandcasting is the typical method of making molds for cast metals. Sand is able to withstand the intense temperatures produced by molten iron. Since the sand is washed away once the iron has cooled,…

Buffing refers to a particular way of polishing metals, in which a rotary tool evens out the surface of the metal to create a shiny effect. Buffing makes the metal surface uniform, minimizing cosmetic…

The plating process refers to covering an item, usually (but not always) metal, with a layer of another metal. Plating is a very ancient technique but has many modern applications, such as in…

Although the vast majority of shops and independent workers use the MIG (wire-feed) process, welding mufflers with stick or rod is perfectly acceptable. Always wear the proper safety gear when…

Tourmaline is one of many minerals in the silicate family. Its composition is extremely complex. This hydous mineral contains lithium, aluminum, boron and silicon within broad ranges. It also contains…

Capacitors are electronic components that store a charge. They may be canisters, discs or block-shaped, but they always have two wires. Capacitors consist of two large-surface conductors, called…

Capacitors are components used in electronics and electronic circuit design, as they allow alternating or changing signals to pass through them uninhibited. Choosing the right type of capacitor is…

Aluminum is a lightweight but durable material that is difficult to scratch, mark or dent. As an inexpensive material, it is a good solution for making name plates. Although you can purchase…

Aluminum, despite being an abundant element in the earth's crust, is never found in readily usable form. While aluminum occurs in more than 250 mineral compounds, it is commercially extracted from…

Silicon bronze is a bronze made with two to three percent silicon, making the bronze resistant to corrosion. For this reason, silicon bronze has many industrial and aesthetic applications as it is a…

Early cans, made from steel, required the use of a can opener. Lighter-weight aluminum cans with pull tabs made single serving beverages more convenient and portable. Unfortunately, the pull tab was…

Aluminum is lightweight, relatively strong and machines easily. University researchers investigate the properties of one alloy, called 6061, to determine its suitability for various uses. The…

Electrolytic means any function that requires the use of an electrolyte, a substance that contains free ions enabling it to conduct electricity. Electrolytic surface treatments are used on materials…

Recycling aluminum cans is great for the environment; it's also a good way to earn a bit of money. According to the Wastecare Corporation, "The cost to recycle a can is less than manufacturing a new…

The atoms and molecules in all substances are moving -- either vibrating in solids or actually moving in liquids and gases. Temperature measures their average kinetic energy or energy of motion.…

Extrusion is the process of creating straight metal parts, that is, so that each piece will look the same when viewed from one of its ends. Two types of extrusion exist: direct and indirect. Indirect…

Anodizing your aluminum parts allows you to create an attractive and durable finish. An advantage of anodized finishes over other types of finishes is that the layer of metal oxide that forms as part…

Aluminum is notable for being a lightweight metal. The alloy Aluminum 7075 is a cold-wrought aluminum product with the highest strength among aluminum alloys. As such, it is commonly used in…

Thermal conductivity is defined as the amount of heat that passes through a material when one side's temperature is one degree kelvin higher than the other. In other words, it is the rate at which…

Thermite typically consists of a powder of aluminum and iron oxide held together by a binder, according to Webster's Online Dictionary. When ignited, the two metals react to produce brief…

Aluminum is a sustainable material, meaning it can be recycled and used countless times. Recycling your aluminum cans will help save energy, reduce landfill use and prevent further waste of resources.…

Jeweler's rouge achieves stunningly smooth results when used to polish metals. The rouge comes in several colors, each of which represents a different grit. Powders of varying fineness make up the…

Metal punching is a craft that is fun and develops skill. The malleability of sheet metal makes it easy for nearly anybody with the right dexterity to create nearly anything with a hammer and a set…

Aluminum can look almost as shiny as polished chrome, or it can look quite dull. Many things are made of aluminum, and some of these things or parts are important enough to keep polished. Polishing…

The metal plating on aircraft and spacecraft contains aluminum, the most common metal on earth. When other metals are mixed with the aluminum, they form aluminum alloys. Only the strongest aluminum…

Recycling aluminum cans and containers, including pie plates, reduces energy consumption, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, because less energy is required to create a recycled…

Cast aluminum or aluminum casting refers to a specific metal that is a product of a few processes involving casting. Cast aluminum is formed through mold casting, die-casting or sand casting. These…

There are several different kinds of aluminum jig plates. Many aluminum jig plates are round and assist with the cutting of perfect circles. However, aluminum jig plates may be made any shape…

Aluminum printing plates are used in offset printing of books, newspapers, fliers and other print media. These thin metal plates are etched with the image or text to be printed, inked and used to…

Aluminum is a lightweight, low-density metal. It is reactive and readily forms alloys with other metals to make beverage cans, wrapping foil, electrical wires, and parts for cars, trucks and aircraft.

Aluminate is a term used in chemistry. This noun refers to "a chemical compound having aluminum as part of a negative ion" according to Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary.

Though many cities and towns offer recycling programs, some residents prefer to pick up a little pocket change by selling the more valuable types of recyclables themselves.

Sheet aluminum ships with a coating to protect the surface of the aluminum from damage. Removing the protective coating from the sheet aluminum requires curling part of the coating back from the…

Aluminum has properties that make it one of the most commonly used metals in industrial and commercial applications. Aluminum's light weight, durability and strength makes it ideal for manufacturing…

Aluminum cans, such as those used for soda and beer, are recyclable. For people not near a recycling center, or for those looking for aluminum scrap, it can be tempting to try to burn them.

Welding on cast aluminum material with a MIG welder is done all the time, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, welding aluminum requires a lot of heat, so you'll need a good 220-volt…

Bright aluminum jump rings are metal rings made from anodized aluminum used primarily in the production of chain maille jewelry. These aluminum rings come in variety of colors and sizes, are…

Flash powder is a mixture of ingredients that burns so rapidly that the eye perceives an instantaneous flash. Flash powder provides the propulsion and the explosion for fireworks and sometimes the…

Cutting fins into aluminum is a great way to give your car, aluminum soapbox or other structure some wind resistance and style. Whether you are cutting fins into aluminum for work or as a hobby, once…

Tin snips are one of the easiest and most accessible ways for beginning metalworkers to cut shapes in metal. Cut shapes in aluminum sheeting to allow pipes to pass through it or to fit the sheeting…

Aluminum is a silvery-white metal that makes up 7.3 percent of the earth's crust and is present in the water, air and soil. The U.S. Geological Survey established it as the second most abundant metal.…

Most rivets used in the aviation industry are made of aluminum and aluminum alloys. Aircraft rivets can be identified by the shape of the head of the rivet. Though there are many types of head…

Aluminum parts give your items a nice metal finish when polished and clean. Yet, far too often, these parts become dirty, dull and dingy over time. Just cleaning them does not help much, and worse yet…

Aluminum is a common metal used in everything from soda cans to metal cookware. When thrown in the trash and dumped in a landfill, aluminum takes hundreds of years to break down. To help reduce your…

A thermocouple is made of two wires formed from dissimilar metals, welded together at one end. The other ends of the wire are connected to an indicating instrument. Thermocouples are used as…

Aluminum is a rather soft metal, and as such, can clog the blades of saws made of carbide which become very hot when working at high speeds. This can result in the job taking longer than necessary and…

Aluminum cans and aluminium tabs are both made out of bauxite ore. The ore is mined, melted and molded in much the same way for tabs and cans. Although the weight of cans and tabs vary, approximately…

Recycling benefits the environment in various ways. Not only does it reduce the need to collect new natural resources, but it also reduces energy consumption and production costs. Aluminum is…

Aluminum has a silvery white color and is used to make a variety of hard alloys. The atomic symbol for aluminum is Al, and its atomic number is 13, which means it has 13 electrons and 13 protons.…

Aluminum is a versatile and important material for construction, mechanical installations and fabrication. When delivered in sheet, roll or bar form, the aluminum must be cut and molded into various…

A winch is a mechanical device often found on a sailboat. It has a turning mechanism that winds rope around a spindle. An important component of sailing, a winch helps maintain tension in a sailboat's…

Almost all materials experience slight deformation in response to changes in temperature. They expand when heated and contract when cooled. This is an important factor to consider for machine parts or…

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2008, around 48 percent of all the aluminum cans created were recycled, and 38 percent of aluminum containers and packaging were recycled. Aluminum…

Some reactions involve two starting chemicals which swap parts (called ions) to produce two different products. It is not rare that one of those products is insoluble, driving the potentially…

Anodizing is a process by which a protective film including dye can be deposited into the pores of a metal by means of an electric current. Aluminum is the most commonly anodized metal. Using this…

Bronze is a metal alloy that normally combines copper and tin, sometimes with other metals mixed in as well. In aluminum bronze, aluminum replaces the tin component, creating an alloy that is…

Aluminum, used primarily in cans but also in other applications, is one of the most commonly recycled materials. Recycling aluminum prevents the need to mine and refine new metal and also saves a…

Empty aluminum beer and soda cans can be melted down into ingots. These compact ingots, also called pigs, can be recycled or remelted later for more advanced metalworking projects. The heat source…

A brass cartridge is the largest part of ammunition. It holds the powder and the bullet, along with a primer in its end that is called the "rim." The rim is part of the "head," which leads to the…

Although bikes are constructed from different materials depending on how they will be used, many street bikes are made out of aluminum. Street bikes are available secondhand for reasonable prices and…

Aluminum has been recycled and reused since the early 1900s. Recycled aluminum has been so effective in lowering costs of production and decreasing the waste stream that a large recycling industry has…

Whether you inherited a set of Guardian Service cookware, or picked up a few pieces at a flea market or yard sale, then you're in luck: Guardian Service is not only highly collectible, it's perfectly…

Aluminum is a very versatile metal and it is used in many of the things we use everyday. From lunch boxes to lighters, aluminum is shaped and crafted into just about anything. If you are looking for a…

Because aluminum MIG wire is so much softer than steel MIG wire, it will not readily travel the length of the welding lead without binding up. A spool gun relocates the spool of aluminum wire to the…

Aircraft aluminum is very popular with home hobbyists because it offers a finish that can be highly polished, and the alloy it's made from is slightly harder then standard aluminum. Because of these…

Aluminum cookware has advantages over other types of cookware. Anodized aluminum cookware costs more than plain aluminum cookware, but offers some benefits as well. The Electrochemistry Encyclopedia…

Vanity license plates for firefighters are available in a variety of designs. Look for aluminum or pewter material because they will withstand the elements much better than plastic. A plastic license…

Aluminum foil has many other uses besides cooking or storing food. You can use it in the construction of homemade crafts, in hair treatments or even as a form of home insulation. One other way to use…

Anodizing certain metals thickens the thin film of their natural oxide to form a protective coating on the metal surface. For some metals, like aluminum and magnesium, oxidation stops once a thin…

Welding prep for aluminum is essential to ensure a proper weld while maintaining the integrity of the metal. Proper prep protects the metal from burns and from inadvertent melting given the high heat…

Aluminum paneling, commonly referred to as siding, is a type of covering for the exterior of your home. It is an inexpensive way to beautify the outside of your house compared to some other…

Aluminum sheeting is a common construction material that is good for numerous projects. Some common uses of aluminum sheeting include flashing, siding, roofs and duct work, not to mention the numerous…

Aluminum is a light metal used in many different applications, from cookware to engine parts. Aluminum is also a major component of paintball markers and computer components. Unfortunately, aluminum…

According to the Clean Air Council, American use 65 billion aluminum cans each year, and a high percentage of these cans end up in landfills. It may surprise you to know that every year, Americans…

Anodized coated aluminum is commonly used as efficient, modern cookware that evenly distributes heat while cooking. Anodized products are not applied with a coating, but rather put through an…

Electrolytic capacitors derive a large part of their capacitance from the formation of a gaseous layer on one plate when proper polarity is applied. Capacitance (C) is the is the magnitude of charge…

Welding on aluminum is a great skill to have because it can save a lot of money in the long run. However, the aluminum we would like to weld is not always as clean as we needs it to be. Oily and dirty…

A solder is fusible metal melted either with a soldering iron or a torch to connect metal joints together. It is typically a tin-lead alloy, but it can also come in other metals such as silver,…

Aluminum sign panels need to be cut square, as an out-of-square cut will be readily noticeable after the aluminum sign is installed. Cutting an aluminum sign with a power saw or power shears would not…

If cracks show up on an aluminum head, it will always be cheaper to repair the head by welding it rather than to replace the entire unit. Aluminum heads are very pricey, and in some applications it is…

Aluminum is a flexible and relatively soft metal. However, cutting shapes from sheets of aluminum (or even scrap aluminum such as cans) is much easier when using metal snips. These look like…

Every second, worldwide, there are millions of aluminum cans being disposed of when they don't need to be. Aluminum cans may be used in construction, decoration, as toys or as tools. If you don't know…

It is important to minimize problems that might occur when using chemical agents that are used in a laboratory environment. One way to ensure laboratory safety is to segregate different types of…

Aluminum cans are a common sight in refrigerators and on pantry shelves everywhere, and for good reason. Aluminum is cheap, strong, lightweight and highly recyclable, making it a good choice for food…

Aluminum is a popular material for creating cast parts because it is lightweight, strong and resistant to corrosion. Aluminum casting can be performed by hobbyists on a small scale or by industrial…

The lab procedure for recycling aluminum involves a process of shredding, de-lacquering, melting and ultimately the reformation of aluminum into thin sheets. Aluminum has one of the highest metal…

Aluminum cans are made from aluminum, a readily abundant mineral found in bauxite. The aluminum is extracted and refined from the bauxite and then made into coils. The coils are then processed and…

Bracelet blanks are plain metal bands that you can decorate yourself. They are a staple in any jewelry maker's arsenal. Bracelet blanks for cuff bracelets are shaped in a semi-circle with a small…

Welding aluminum is an important part of many automotive repairs. When done well, a weld can last for years on end, but when done improperly it can put you in danger, not only while welding but when…

Painting is a popular hobby and pastime. It is frequently used in schools during art classes and to help younger children learn about textures, colors, numbers and any number of other things. Aluminum…

Aluminum pipe is frequently used for heat transfer in refrigeration systems because of its heat dissipation properties. While the procedures used to weld aluminum pipes are generally the same as those…

Birm water filters use a process to remove iron particles from water, which is useful if you have hard water with a high iron content that may affect your clothes when you wash them or change the…

Semiprecious gemstones form naturally from minerals within the earth's crust. Learning about these minerals is an interesting way to examine nature. In addition to learning the mineral properties of…

Plasma cutters remove material through the use of compressed air and an electrical arc. The electrical arc super heats the metal in a very small and definite area. Once the metal is liquid, the…

Perlite is a form of obsidian (lava glass) that has a high water content. Upon heating to approximately 900 degrees C the water releases, leaving a very light, highly porous and commercially valuable…

Electrical conductivity is the measure of how well a substance conducts electricity. It is expressed as 1/(Ohms-centimeters) or mhos/cm. Mho is the name that was chosen for the inverse of Ohms.

Tourmaline is a semiprecious gemstone. The color of tourmaline crystals ranges from pink to green to blue to black and is due to the amount and type of certain elements contained in the crystal. On…

Aluminum pie pans often come in packs containing more than a single pan. If you are making only one pie, consider using the remaining pans in a craft project or around the house instead of simply…

If you're new to brewing, or even if you're an old hand at it, there can be some confusion as to what is better, an aluminum brew pot or a stainless steel pot. The truth of the matter is that both…

The Hobart Handler 210 is a remarkablel machine. It comes ready to weld aluminum right out of the box, and has ample power for just about any other welding job you may have. It is powered by 220…

Welding aluminum can be done either with a wire feed welder or a stick machine. All the general welding safety rules apply, and following them can avoid dangerous accidents.

The first thing necessary for stick welding on aluminum is to have a machine capable of DC (direct current) polarity, and it must be capable of putting out at least 200 amps. If your welder meets…

According to the Can Manufacturers Institute, Americans drink 380 cans' worth of beverages each year. While aluminum cans are now one of the most recycled materials, many cans do wind up in…

Aluminum alloys provide more of a challenge to welders than steel alloys. Aluminum has a lower melting point and higher conductivity than steels, which can result in burnthroughs, particularly in…

Aluminum cans, sometimes called soda or pop cans, can create a large amount of garbage very quickly. These containers have a multitude of uses in the arts and crafts world that can prevent them from…

Painting a mural on an aluminum sheet can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to embrace your creative side. Furthermore, once completed, your project will offer an opportunity to display your…

Aluminum casting is the process of pouring molten aluminum into a mold to create a part of a desired shape. Casting is used in many different industries to create a wide range of parts. Aluminum is a…

What happens to all the trash that leaves our houses every week? Most of what is discarded from a common household ends up in a landfill, an area where refuse is mixed with soil and microscopic…

Muscovite is one of the two common forms of the mineral mica, the other being biotite. Muscovite mica commonly occurs as small crystals in some types of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, but…

The most popular and convenient type of aluminum recycled today is found in soda cans. Many states offer a five-cent refund for each can turned in, giving people an incentive to recycle. Aluminum from…

Aluminum, by its nature of conducting heat quickly, makes it a difficult metal to weld. TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding is the preferred method for joining two pieces of this metal. Wire feed welding…

Aluminum is a silvery whitish metal that is very malleable and conductive. It is rarely used by itself, but made into aluminum alloys by mixing it with other elements such as copper or silicon. It…

Anodizing is a process that increases the thickness of the natural oxide layer on a metal's surface. Aluminum oxides readily and is the most commonly anodized metal. Anodizing aluminum increases its…

Rubellite is a common, bright pink to red tourmaline that is used in jewelry. The name rubellite originates from the Latin word "rubellus," which translates as "reddish."

For many people, it is the need to make an obsolete part that is no longer manufactured that leads them into metal casting and casting aluminum. Perhaps they are restoring an old house to its…

Aluminum comes in several different varieties. Some are wrought alloys, created by rolling or forging metals together in the correct amounts. Others are cast alloys molded from molten metals. Some…

Armatures have two primary functions in sculpting and doll making. Armatures provide strength and stability, and they provide bulk. Whether the armature is to be covered with earthen clay, polymer…

Density is a physical property of a substance that can be determined by scientific experiment. You might have learned that density is mass divided by volume, which means that if you can measure both…

Kyanite is a mineral with versatile properties that make it useful in a wide range of industrial and artistic endeavors. It is a blue crystal resembling a sapphire that is created by when two other…

Birthstones are different depending on the country, and have changed throughout history. Even today, "official" birthstones may be replaced with another gem, and some months have several birthstones.

Casting aluminum is one of the least expensive ways to make metallic objects and with a little clean up work and polishing, the results are stunning and shine like the wings of the old WWII bombers.…

The most common method for making plated metals is a process called electroplating, where an electric current is passed though a solution containing metal salts and the metal which is to be plated,…

Aluminum and brass are the two metals commonly used in plaques and hanging awards. Watch a professional trophy maker discuss metals used in plaques in this free manufacturing video.

Aluminum can be difficult to polish. Rather than buffing the surface to a sheen, you need to cut through the rust and other imperfections with a highly abrasive compound. An aluminum compound polish…

Aluminum is one of those materials that can be recycled over and over again without compromising the elements of the metal. Today, many aluminum cans used to hold soda or other food and beverage…

Brazing aluminum joins two pieces of aluminum together to fix broken aluminum pieces or create something new. It makes the aluminum stronger by creating bonds that are not easily broken. Much like…

In order to understand how rust works and spreads, you first have to understand what rust is. "Rust" is the common name for what is scientifically known as iron oxide, a form of corrosion that occurs…

Aluminum is part of a group known as the boron elements, or the "poor metals." It takes up the 13th space on the periodic table of elements, which means it has an atomic mass of 13. It happens to be…

Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in the earth's crust, making up about 8.3 percent of it by weight. Aluminum bonds easily with oxygen, so it is almost never found naturally in its pure…

Do you often work with aluminum on your lathe? Have you wondered how to polish this metal effectively? In this article, we will discuss the easy and long-lasting way to polish aluminum on your lathe.

If you are looking for a way to get your hands on some easy money, look no further than your trash can. If you are one of the millions of Americans who buy products sold in aluminum cans, stop…

Aluminum is common in the Earth's crust but rare in its free form. Aluminum is difficult to extract because its primary ore, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), is so stable. The following steps will explain how…