Publisher's Synopsis
This study of aluminium is in the "Focus on resources" series which aims to give young readers an up-to-date survey of some of the world's most important natural resources, describing where the commodity is found, how it is processed and the uses we make of it.;This volume looks at the history of aluminium, from the use of its salts by ancient Egyptians to the modern isolation methods which led to a drop in its price and to widespread availability. The advantages of aluminium over other metals and the variety of its uses, from toothpaste to supersonic jets and from food wrappings to spacecraft, are discussed.;Young people can learn where aluminium comes from, how it is mined as bauxite, isolated and mixed with other minerals and how these alloys are shaped, joined and finished as products. The book explains the importance of bauxite to poorer countries in the tropics and how a supply of aluminium can be assured for future years, particularly by collecting and recycling used packages.;The text is complemented by a glossary, a list of facts and figures, as well as sources of further information and a further reading list. The book aims to provide background reading for students taking GCSE examinations and the Standard Grade in Scotland.
