Something interesting about aluminum ladders

Perhaps you have ever stood on a ladder or stepladder. Housework, roof repairs, or fruit picking - these and many other jobs are done while standing on a ladder. A large percentage of ladders are made of aluminum alloy. What kind of metal is this?

History of aluminum alloy

Of all the known materials, metals, and alloys, aluminum has only recently come into use. Why did people become familiar with lightweight and durable aluminum objects so late? Because it was only in the 19th century that an economical way of extracting this metal from bauxite (aluminum ore) was found. Due to the high cost of production, aluminum was valued more than gold. For example, important guests of Napoleon were served aluminum plates at feasts, and this was considered a rarity and a curiosity. Closer to the 20th century, aluminum began to be used more often in construction, for example, the dome of the General Secretariat building in Australia is made of aluminum.

Why is aluminum more expensive than steel?

You will be surprised, but aluminum is almost the most common element on the planet. Only oxygen and silicon reserves are greater than aluminum. But why then is aluminum more expensive than, for example, steel, if it is so common on Earth? And all because of the expensive method of production. Aluminum is very active and is not found in nuggets or ingots, but always in ores (bauxite). To obtain aluminum from ore, a very energy-intensive method of electrolysis is used. Aluminum cannot be obtained by melting, as cast iron and steel are obtained, because it is a very active metal that immediately interacts with other elements. Only the process of electrolysis, using electric current, allows you to separate aluminum from ore.

Why are there more aluminum ladders on the market than wooden or steel ones?

Compared to steel ladders, an aluminum ladder is light, it is easy to carry. Aluminum will not rust like steel, will not be eaten away by bark beetles like a wooden ladder, will not burn in a fire (it is not for nothing that firefighters use aluminum ladders), will not crack from excessive pressure like fiberglass. Aluminum ladders do not need varnishing, like wooden ones, or painting, like steel ones. The price of aluminum ladders is lower than that of wooden or fiberglass ladders, despite the fact that the production process is not cheap.

Disadvantages of aluminum ladders

Aluminum conducts electricity, so an aluminum ladder is not suitable for an electrician's work.

Although aluminum does not burn, prolonged exposure to fire can reduce strength and damage integrity, so it must be checked every time after exposure to critical temperatures.

But for work at normal air temperatures, an aluminum ladder is quite suitable.

We have both high and low aluminum ladders, which you can buy with the most favorable delivery in Ukraine!

We recommend reading the article "Advantages of aluminum as a material for the production of stepladders."