When you think of aluminum in 2022 you  probably think about how it's used in soda cans and foil. But there's so much more to this element than that!  Aluminum has been used for  centuries in a variety of different ways and continues to be one of the most popular materials used today.  People have been buying and selling this stuff for a long time, but there are still some things that you might not know about aluminum. 

Here are 10 fun facts about aluminum you probably didn't know:

1. Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust.

In fact, it makes up about 8% of the Earth's solid surface. 

2. Aluminum is a good conductor of electricity and heat.

This makes it ideal for electrical wiring and cooling fins in electronic devices. It also makes it great for  pots and pans. It’s also perfect to keep food warm. 

3. Aluminum is light but strong.

It is about one-third the density of steel or copper, yet it is stronger than iron. This makes it perfect for aircraft construction. It's also used for things such as bats , golf clubs, and bicycles.

4. Aluminum doesn't rust.

This makes it perfect for outdoor projects like gutters and siding.  It can also be used  in food packaging because it doesn't react with food the way iron does.

5. Aluminum is 100% recyclable.

In fact, it can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of its properties. Another interesting fact is that about 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.

6. Aluminum is used in some pretty strange places.

Did you know that it's used in fire extinguishers, rocket fuel, Foods and even some toothpastes contain  it?

7. It Was Used Thousands of Years Ago.

Thousands of years ago, in Ancient Greece, people dusted their clothing with alum, which included aluminum. People used alum to color their clothes thousands of years ago, and obviously it had aluminum in it. When the Heroult process was introduced in the late 1800s, industrial production of aluminum as a metal did not begin immediately; however, it has been produced since then.

It is the Most Widely Used Metal

Aluminum is the most widely used metal after iron. This is because it can be easily shaped, formed, and cast into any number of useful objects. It is also used in a large number of alloys.

It is a Silver Color.

Aluminum is actually silver in colour. However, it tarnishes quickly when exposed to air, forming a thin layer of aluminum oxide. This oxide layer is what gives aluminum its characteristic dull gray colour.

It was discovered in 1808.

Aluminum was first discovered in 1808 by Sir Humphrey Davy. However, it was not until 1825 that it was first isolated as a pure metal. This was done by Danish physicist and chemist Hans Christian Orsted.

So there you have it, 10 fun facts about aluminum that you probably didn't know! Now you can impress your friends and family with your aluminum knowledge. And who knows, maybe you'll even be inspired to use more aluminum in your everyday life. After all, it is the most widely used metal for a reason!