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Aluminum offers effective solutions for the routine
challenges in different contexts. Major applications for the
metal today are focused on mobility, health and well-being,
nutrition and preservation of food, construction and comfort.
Mobility
The automotive industry worldwide bets on aluminum to produce increasingly
powerful and safe vehicles, in addition to minimizing environmental
impacts. The metal's major advantage for the transport industry is
its specific weight, which increases load capacity and reduces transportation
costs.
According to non-official statistics, the Country has an average
of 45kg of aluminum per vehicle, much lower than the American average,
which is 128kg and than the European average, approximately 100 kg.
One of reasons for the intensive use of aluminum in the United States is the
environmental legislation in force, which determines a specific consumption
of at least 12 km per liter of fuel for the vehicle fleet average. The automotive
industry endeavors to use lighter-weight materials, especially aluminum,
more intensively, to replace ferrous products in order to meet this requirement.
According
to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the increase of the product's
use in transport, may, in 20 years, contribute to curb the climate change
process. The organization states that, if the aluminum production for car
and light trucks growth rate is kept during the next decade, the volume of
metal produced for the transportation industry may be more than double until
2020, assuming as a basis, the figures for 2002. For lighter-weight vehicles,
it is estimated that the reduction of car emissions will more than compensate
for the projections of gas emissions from the world aluminum industry.
Health and well-being
Aluminum is present in some medicines, especially
those prescribed for the treatment of
gastric ulcers. Based on scientific studies,
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), official
USA health regulatory agency, which assesses
and regulates the use of food and medicines
for population consumption, included aluminum in the
category of "GRAS
- Generally Recognized as Safe " product.
Therefore, its usage was legitimated,
not only in medicines but also in household
utensils, food packaging and personal care
products.
The human body is supplied with
natural barriers to metal absorption in the
lungs, digestive system and skin. The blood-encephalic
barrier, on its turn, prevents the migration
of external substances including aluminum, from the
blood current into the brain.
Aluminum is also used
to prevent diseases, contributing effectively to the
increase of drinking water provision: aluminum sulfate
is used as a flocculant in water treatment stations,
where it acts by binding small undesirable particles,
and harmful microorganisms.
Nutrition and preservation of foodstuffs
Aluminum packaging is an important ally in the
preservation of food, since it prevents
the passage of moisture, oxygen and light,
thus avoiding deterioration of products.
It is used in the packaging of food, beverages,
personal care and beauty products, medicines,
etc.
According to the European Aluminium Association
- EAA-, a thin layer of 1.5 g of aluminum
foil - as
in a long-life milk carton- is sufficient to preserve
the product without refrigeration for
several months. In countries where food
distribution is difficult due to long
distances, lack of budget or countries that were
stricken by tragedies, this feature helps to save
lives.
The increase in the demand for aluminum
packaging has led to a significant increase
in the country's rolled products installed
capacity, meeting a demand of over 9 billion cans
per year.
Construction and security
Aluminum applications in modern architecture
cover a large spectrum: from doors, gates,
windows, shower boxes, up to furniture, lighting
system, thermal and acoustic insulation solutions.
Large buildings covered with aluminum sheet
and reflective glass have already become
a common view in large metropolis. In a different
trend, the usage of standardized aluminum
frames has grown amongst low income consumers.
The
metal features that are most important for
the segment are its high resistance to adverse environmental
conditions, - such as sea-side air, in coastal cities-
and its durability . Aluminum does not age like organic
materials and does not need to be protected against
UV.
Related areas
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