Concept explainers
Given the abundance of aluminum in the Earth’s crust, explain why it is more expensive than steel.
Given the abundance of aluminum in the Earth’s crust, explain why it is more expensive than steel
Explanation of Solution
Aluminum, being an abundant metallic element, makes up about 8% of the Earth’s crust.
Bauxite serves as the principal ore for aluminum, and is a hydrous (water-containing) aluminum oxide containing various other oxides.
At first, clay and dirt is washed off from the ore. Then the ore is crushed into powder and treated with hot caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) to remove the remaining impurities. Next, extraction of alumina (aluminum oxide) takes place from this solution which is dissolved in a molten sodium-fluoride and aluminum-fluoride bath at a temperature of about 940◦ to 980◦C (1725◦ to 1800◦F).
Then, direct-current electrolysis of this mixture is performed. Aluminum metal is formed at the cathode (negative pole), and oxygen is gathered at the anode (positive pole). Commercially, 99.99% pure aluminum can be obtained. Aluminum production consumes a lot of electricity which affects its cost in comparison to steel.
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