Tips & Techniques: Aluminum Characteristics November 22, 2008 All RenovatorsProducts & ServicesKnowledge BaseThe Forums How to clean rain lamp... Member Sign In|Company Sign In Aluminum Characteristics MSU Extension What's in this article less detail Introduction Oxidation Anodizing Return to the Knowledge Base 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.  << Previous Page  Viewing Page 1 of 1 Next Page >>    Ads by Google   Members:  Sign In  |  Register  |  Benefits  |  Feedback  |  Tell-a-Friend  |  Help   Companies:  Sign In  |  Account Manager  |  Promote Your Company  |  Register  |  Help Copyright ©2008 by Renovators, a TB Systems company. All rights reserved. Privacy policy.