Uses of Aluminium
(i) Aluminium is used for making electrical transmission cables as it is a good conductor of electricity.
(ii) Aluminium powder is used as a reducing agent in thermite welding.
(iii) In the form of finely divided powder, it is used in anti-rust paints and lacquers.
(iv) Aluminium foils are used up for wrapping cigarettes, food stuffs, chocolates, soaps, etc.
(v) It is used to remove dissolved oxygen during the extraction of certain metals.
(vi) It is used in making household utensils.
(v) Aluminium being highly reactive is used in the extraction of chromium and manganese from their oxides.
(vi) It is also used in making certain alloys. These alloys are extensively used for household purposes. Some of the common alloys of aluminium are
Duralium (Al, Cu, Mg, Ni), magnalium (Al, Mg), and alnico (Al, Fe, Ni. Co)
Uses of Copper
(i) Copper is used for making electric wires used in electrical industry and for water and steam pipes. This is because of very high electrical conductivity of copper.
(ii) Since it is not attacked by water or air, it is used for making utensils, containers, kettles, evaporating pans, coins, etc.
(iii) It is used in electroplating and electrotyping industry.
(iv) It is used in several alloys which are tougher than metal itself. The common alloys are brass, bronze, gun metal, coinage metal, etc.
(v) Copper is also used for alloying with gold and silver to make them hard for the purpose of making ornaments and coins.
Uses of Zinc
(i) Zine is widely used for galvanising iron.
(ii) Zinc is used in extraction of gold and silver by cyanide process.
(ii) Zinc dust is used as a reducing agent in the laboratory It is also used in the manufacture of drugs, dye stuffs paints and other chemicals, etc.
(iii) Zinc is used in dry cells as electrodes.
(iv) It is used in the manufacture of many alloys such as brass, german silver, etc.
Uses of Iron
(i) Cast iron which is the most important form of iron is used for casting stoves, railway sleepers, gutter pipes, toys, etc.
(ii) It is used in the manufacture of wrought iron and steel.
(iii) Wrought iron is used in making wires, bolts, anchors, chains and agricultural implements.
(iv) Steel finds number of uses. Alloy steel is obtained when other metals are added to it and find extensive uses.
(v) It is used in the manufacture of many alloys such as brass, german silver, etc.
Steels obtained by the addition of some other one or more metals such as chromium, vanadium, titanium, molybdenum, manganese, cobalt or nickel to carbon steel are called alloy steels.
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