Aluminium is a very light silver metal that can be formed into any shape. It is one of the most common elements on Earth. About 8% of the Earth’s crust is made up of aluminium. But you always find it in combination with other elements, never in its pure form.

Aluminium is often used as an alloy—together with copper, magnesium or tin. When it is formed with these elements, aluminium becomes very valuable. Such alloys are very light, but strong. They do not corrode and electricity and heat can pass through them easily.

Aluminium can be as strong as steel. It is very often used to make cars and trucks as well as containers for ships. Industries make cans, pots and pans out of aluminium.

Most of our aluminium is found in rocks called bauxite. About 500 kg of aluminium can be made out of a ton of bauxite. This valuable raw material is mined in tropical and subtropical countries. Australia, Jamaica, Brazil are among the biggest producers.

Aluminium can
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