ABSTRACT
References .................................................................................................................................... 271
Aluminum is the second most plentiful metallic element on earth. Through the years, it has grown in
use to become an economic competitor to conventionally usedmaterials in a spectrum of engineering
applications as recently as the end of the nineteenth century. It has progressively grown in use and
acquired the status of awell-placedmetal of its time. Important industrial developments in the field of
materials science and engineering that have emerged while keeping pace with technological
evolution, and the demanding material characteristics consistent with the unique qualities of alumi-
num and its alloys, have led to growth in both the production and use of the metal [1]. It is predicted
that most of the aluminum and its advanced variations produced in the years ahead will find use for
applications that did not exist two or three decades ago [2]. The present markets for aluminum are
greatly affected by shortages of other metal counterparts coupled with a combination of economical,
environmental, and safety factors [3]. In recent years, the technology related to aluminum has grown
stronger with competition, with an emphasis on the physical properties of the alloys themselves and
the dominant role they play in structural applications. The characteristics that make aluminum and its
emerging variations, i.e., rapidly solidified alloys, new ingot alloys, new tempers, aluminum-lithium
alloys, and metal matrix composites, a potent and dominant material for structural, aerospace, and
automotive applications, are its high strength, low density, recyclability, availability, workability,
work experience, and cost effectiveness.
