Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust, ranking only behind oxygen and silicon. It makes up about 9% of the earth's crust, making it the most abundant of all metals. The chemical symbol for aluminum, Al, is taken from the first two letters of the element's name.

Aluminum has an atomic number of 13 and an atomic mass of 26.98. Aluminum is a silver-like metal with a slightly bluish tint. It has a melting point of 1,220°F (660°C), a boiling point of about 4,440°F (2,450°C), and a density of 2.708 grams per cubic centimeter. Aluminum is both ductile and malleable.

Aluminum is a very good conductor of electricity, surpassed only by silver and copper in this regard. However, aluminum is much less expensive than either silver and copper. For that reason, engineers are currently trying to discover new ways in which aluminum can be used to replace silver...