A key property is low density. Aluminium, with a density of 2,71 gm/cm3, is only one-third the weight of steel and less than one-third the mass of copper or brass.

A property that has resulted in extensive use of aluminium in fabricated ap- plications, replacing steel and other materials.

Whilst aluminium engineering alloys have similar strength to structural steels, aerospace aluminium alloys are even stronger than steel.

Aluminium is readily formed by a variety of processes (cast, rolled, extruded or forged and being malleable it is easily worked, formed and machined by the common manufacturing and shaping processes. 

One of the real strengths of aluminium is in its extruded form. Extrusions are complex hollow and solid shapes that are able to incorporate a variety of features that increase the value of the product by reducing fabricating labour or increasing usability.

Is moderate, being about a third of that of mild steel, requiring stiffer aluminium sections. Has a relatively high coefficient of linear expansion.

Sheets, extrusions, sections and castings are easily joined by welding, braking, soldering mechanical fastening ana adhesive bonding.

Aluminium, and most of its alloys, are highly resistant to most forms of corrosion. The metal’s natural coating of aluminium oxide provides a highly effective barrier to the ravages of air, temperature, moisture and chemical attack (between the pH range 4.5 to 8,S), making aluminium a useful construction material. It does not rust.

Aluminium is a superb conductor of electricity. This property, allied with other intrinsic qualities, has ensured the replacement of copper by aluminium in many electrical applications. Mass for mass, aluminium conducts almost twice the electric current of copper.