Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500047
06/24/03

Aluminum Characteristics


Aluminum is a light-weight metal with a bright silvery
luster. Small amounts of other metals are added to
aluminum to make harder alloys for most uses. Its
affinity for oxygen makes it resistant to corrosion and
attack by most chemicals. Most aluminum used in visible
parts of appliances is lacquered or otherwise coated,
anodized or painted.

Aluminum reacts with air to grow its own thin oxide
coating very fast. This hard, dark gray coating protects
the metal. It's found on all bare aluminum surfaces,
including utensils which, if rubbed on a counter or range
top, or other material, makes a dark gray mark. If washed
off the outside of the pan, it quickly forms again. A
commercial process, called "anodizing", thickens this coat
and often colors it. Anodizing does not rub off. A special
anodizing process produces a very hard, dark gray finish
on professional type cookware.

This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from Mary Ellen
Delsipee and Isabel Jones, previous Extension Specialists.

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This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or company. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08. Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03. For more information about this data base or its contents please contact strausc@msu.edu .