Definition: What Is Aluminum?
Aluminum is a chemical element with the symbol Al and the atomic number 13. It is a silvery-white, lightweight metal that occurs very frequently in the Earth’s crust. Aluminum is known for its good formability, corrosion resistance and low density. It is used in many areas, from aviation and DIY projects in the private sector to packaging.
What Material Properties Does Aluminum Have?
- Lightweight: The density of aluminum is about 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter. This makes aluminum significantly lighter than many other metals, such as steel, which has a density of around 7.8 grams per cubic centimeter. The low material density makes handling and installation easier.
- Corrosion resistance: It forms a natural oxide layer that protects it from rust – making it ideal for outdoor use as well.
- Easy processing: Aluminum can be easily cut, drilled and shaped, which makes individual designs easier to implement.
Who Is Aluminum Suitable For?
Aluminum is suitable for both private and commercial use. Aluminum is available in the form of bars, for example flat bars, round bars, square bars, as tubes, for example square tubes or rectangular tubes, as angle profiles, as sheet metal and in many profile variants, for example for mechanical engineering.
Aluminum for Private Use:
- Furniture, bicycles, window frames and garden tools benefit from the low weight.
- Ideal for outdoor areas, e.g. patio furniture or fences.
- DIY enthusiasts can easily cut, drill and shape aluminum.
Commercial and Industrial Use:
- In vehicle, aircraft and mechanical engineering
- Construction: façades, roofs and structures
- Electrical engineering: power lines and housings benefit from conductivity and weather protection
The Best Aluminum Products from METALXACT for Your Project:
- Aluminum flat bars: ideal for frames or reinforcements
- Aluminum hexagonal bars: perfect for decorative elements or special connections.
- Aluminum shower profiles: excellent for building custom shower partitions.
Your advantage with us: order aluminum in your desired dimensions easily online: mill finish, anodized or powder coated in one of more than 1,500 colors of your choice.
Tips for Processing Aluminum:
- Precise planning – create a detailed sketch and calculate the material requirement accurately.
- Use the right tools – a metal saw, drill with metal drill bits or an angle grinder makes the work much easier.
- Choose connections wisely – aluminum can be welded, soldered or fixed with screw connections – depending on the project, you should choose the right method.
Properties of Aluminum
⚖️Weight: The density of aluminum is about 2,700 kg/m³
🛡️Corrosion protection: Forms a protective oxide layer, therefore very corrosion-resistant and does not rust
💪Strength: Pure aluminum is soft; alloys achieve high strength values of up to 710 N/mm²
💶Price: Usually cheaper than other metals, especially compared with stainless steel
⚙️Processing: Very easy to form, weld, roll, bend and extrude
✨Appearance: Silvery, matte-gloss finish; can be designed in many ways through anodizing or painting
🧼Hygiene: Easy to clean, hygienic and often used in food-processing areas
Properties of Stainless Steel
⚖️Weight: The density of stainless steel is about 7,900 kg/m³, depending on the alloy between 7,500 and 8,000 kg/m³
🛡️Corrosion protection: Very high corrosion resistance, especially with chromium-nickel steels; generally does not rust
💪Strength: Very high strength and hardness, high load capacity, even at high temperatures above 660°C
💶Price: Significantly more expensive than aluminum; costs vary depending on the alloy
⚙️Processing: Good weldability and machinability, but harder to form and machine than aluminum
✨Appearance: Glossy, silvery and premium; can be polished, brushed, matte-finished or powder coated
🧼Hygiene: Very hygienic, easy to clean and often used in food technology and medical technology
Project Ideas Made of Aluminum for Indoor Outdoor Use
Build Stylish Shelving Systems
With aluminum profiles, you can build shelves that are stable yet lightweight. Metalxact offers aluminum angle profiles and aluminum bars, for example, which are ideal for building the frame.
Elegant Railings
By combining glass with stylish aluminum strips, you achieve a minimalist and modern look. The major advantage of all-glass railings: they preserve the full brightness of the room and do not visually narrow it!
DIY Furniture Made of Aluminum
Aluminum is also suitable for building stylish and stable furniture such as tables, chairs or even garden gates. The lightness of the material makes transport and repositioning within the house or apartment easier.
Custom-Made Planters
With aluminum sheets, you can create weatherproof and attractive planters. Metalxact offers individually cut sheets that are perfect for your next project. This helps you create a stylish green corner on the balcony.
More Privacy: Aluminum Privacy Screen
An aluminum privacy screen not only provides more privacy, but is also a real eye-catcher. With aluminum T-profiles, you can construct a stable frame and clad it with sheets or wood.
Terrace Canopies
Lightweight, weatherproof canopies are ideal for weather protection on the terrace. Aluminum square tubes are perfect for building the structure. They are not only stable, but also easy to maintain and rust-free.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Properties of Aluminum
Is aluminum magnetic?
Aluminum is not magnetic. It belongs to the so-called paramagnetic materials, which means it is only very weakly attracted by a magnetic field and does not show permanent magnetization. In everyday applications, aluminum behaves practically like a non-magnetic material, which is why it cannot be attracted by conventional magnets. This makes it useful for many technical applications.
Can aluminum be welded?
Aluminum can be welded, but special processes and equipment are required. TIG or MIG welding processes are often used. Thorough cleaning before welding is important because aluminum oxidizes quickly. Experience in working with aluminum is also helpful, as it behaves differently from steel and places higher demands on processing.
How much does aluminum cost?
The price of one kilogram of aluminum fluctuates depending on the market and quality. In July 2025, the exchange price for primary aluminum is around 2 to 2.50 euros per kilogram. Prices for recycled aluminum may be lower. Actual costs also depend on processing and the supply chain. For larger orders, quantity discounts may reduce the kilogram price of aluminum for you.
When does aluminum melt?
Aluminum melts at a temperature of about 660.3 °C. This relatively low melting point compared with other metals makes aluminum easy to form and enables various processing methods such as casting, rolling or extrusion. The melting point is an important factor for industrial applications and recycling processes.
Aluminum leaves black marks – what can you do?
If aluminum leaves black marks, it is usually caused by an oxide layer or abrasion. To prevent this, the aluminum can be cleaned and then protected with a coating, for example by anodizing or powder coating. Regular care and avoiding contact with aggressive substances help reduce staining. Gloves prevent skin contact.
What is anodized aluminum?
Anodized aluminum is aluminum that has been provided with a protective oxide layer through an electrochemical process called anodizing. This layer makes the material more resistant to corrosion and wear. Anodized aluminum can also be dyed in various colors and receives a decorative, matte surface.
Can aluminum be painted or coated?
Aluminum can be painted if the surface is properly prepared. This includes cleaning, degreasing and, if necessary, roughening the metal. A special primer improves paint adhesion. After painting, the aluminum is protected against environmental influences and visually enhanced. Professional powder coating is the better choice if the color should look especially high-quality and last a long time.
Can aluminum be powder coated?
Aluminum is very suitable for powder coating. A color powder is applied electrostatically and then baked on. Powder coating protects aluminum against corrosion, is durable and offers a wide selection of colors and surface structures. It is often used for façades, furniture and components. With us, you can choose from 1,500 shades and special colors and have your aluminum powder coated directly when ordering.
How do you clean aluminum?
Aluminum should be cleaned with mild cleaning agents, such as dishwashing liquid, and soft cloths to avoid scratches. Strong acids or alkaline cleaners are unsuitable because they can attack the metal. Special aluminum cleaners are available for stubborn dirt. After cleaning, rinsing with clean water and drying the surface is recommended.
Why does aluminum not rust?
Aluminum does not rust like iron because it immediately forms a thin, dense oxide layer in the air. This layer protects the underlying metal from further oxidation and corrosion. That is why aluminum is very resistant to weathering and is often used outdoors.
How is aluminum produced?
Aluminum is obtained from bauxite: first, pure aluminum oxide, or alumina, is extracted using the Bayer process. The aluminum oxide is then dissolved in molten cryolite and converted by fused-salt electrolysis using electric current into pure liquid aluminum and oxygen.
more about aluminum production
Is aluminum a metal?
Yes, aluminum is a metal. It is lightweight, corrosion-resistant and conducts heat and electricity very well.
