aluMATTER: Surface Properties of Aluminium

A selection of interactive Flash movies from the award-winning aluMATTER website available to download, which deals with the optical response of aluminium surfaces, and explains how it is related to compositional and morphological surface features.

aluMATTER: Aluminium in Structural Applications

The use of aluminium alloys in structural applications has grown considerably in the past few decades. In transportation, the low density of aluminium, resulting in a high strength-to-weight ratio, makes it a favourable material for aircraft, high speed trains and ferries. In building and civil engineering, low density is sometimes the determining factor in the choice of aluminium; e.g. movable bridges, helicopter decks on offshore platforms, etc. However, other favourable properties such as corrosion resistance, easy shaping of profiles by extrusion, and aesthetics are often more important. A selection of interactive Flash movies from the award-winning aluMATTER website available to download.

aluMATTER: Machining

Machining is a shaping technique that is widely used in industry. Machining by chip removal can be characterised by the action of a cutting tool that allows a part both to be cut into specific dimensions and given a particular surface finish within a range of given tolerance values. Aluminium alloy is machined in various industrial sectors, including aeronautical, automotive and moulding industries. A selection of interactive Flash movies from the award-winning aluMATTER website available to download.