As welding aluminum presents challenges, you might be wondering, “Why use aluminum in the first place?”

The use of aluminum as a structural material is fairly recent. In fact, the Washington Monument, which was completed in 1884, was capped with a 100-ounce pyramid of pure aluminum because it was considered a precious metal. At this time, aluminum was not widely used.

It wasn’t until 1886 that aluminum became available in commercial quantities due to the discovery of the electrolytic process for obtaining pure aluminum from aluminum oxide. Since then, welders around the world have recognized its unique qualities and used it in many applications, such as passenger automobiles, trucks, over-the-road trailers, railroad cars, aircraft, cookware and even marine equipment.

While aluminum can be difficult to work with, this material offers several key benefits:

• Lightweight: When compared to steel, aluminum has a better strength-to-weight ratio and becomes stronger rather than brittle with decreasing temperature. This makes it a great choice for projects that require strength yet need to remain lightweight.

• Electricity & heat: Aluminum conducts electricity and heat almost as well as copper.

• Non-corrosive: While oxidation creates challenges during the welding process, this quality is also a benefit to using aluminum, as it is non-corrosive.

• Recyclable: Aluminum is cost-efficient and recyclable, which is one of the reasons it has become increasingly popular.

• Appearance: Aluminum effectively absorbs paint and sealant, so it is often chosen for its cosmetic qualities.