Aluminum has a wide range of commercial applications due to its unique combination of good corrosion resistance, light weight, good mechanical properties, ease of fabrication and acceptable cost. Its density of ~2.7 g/cm3 makes it the lightest commercial metal other than magnesium (~1.74 g/cm3) and beryllium (~1.85 g/cm3). But, Al and its alloys have more versatility, fewer problems, and cost less than Mg or Be alloys. The range of melting points for both Al and Mg alloys are fairly similar, ~565 to 640°C (~1050 to 1185°F) for Al casting alloys and ~593 to 648°C (~1100 to 1198°F) for Mg casting alloys.
The articles and presentations that can be down-loaded from this web site are based upon work done by GFV while employed at Bethlehem Steel (1967-1983), Carpenter Technology (1983-1996), Buehler Ltd. (1996-2009) and Struers (2009-Present) and from the authors consulting work for companies such as, Latrobe Steel, Scot Forge, etc., and from his litigation work. GFV's bylined articles appearing in various issues of the ASM Handbook series have been listed here courtesy of ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio.