Note:			Portions of the following information provided by the “Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys” manual of ASM International, The Materials Information Society with permission.
			Portions of the following information provided by the “Guidelines for Minimizing Water Staining of Aluminum” manual of The Aluminum Association with permission. For more information, please visit the Aluminum Association web site.
	1.		Why is aluminum used in the food and beverage industry?
			Food and Drug industries use aluminum extensively because it is non-toxic, non-absorptive, and splinter proof. It also minimizes bacterial growth, forms colorless salts, and can be steam cleaned.
	2.		What advantage does aluminum provide to the automotive and transportation industry?
			Both wrought and cast aluminum have found wide use in automobile construction. Typical usage per unit of 250 lbs is expected to increase dramatically as average fuel economy mandates and emphasis on recycling continue. In trucks, weight limitations and a desire to increase effective payloads have intensively employed aluminum in cabs, trailer and truck designs.
	3.		What electrical properties does aluminum offer?
			Aluminum predominates in most conductor applications. Alloys of controlled composition are treated with trace additions of boron to remove titanium, vanadium and zirconium, each of which increases resistivity. The use of aluminum rather than competing materials is based on combination of low cost, high electrical conductivity, adequate mechanical strength, low specific gravity and excellent resistance to corrosion.
	4.		What advantages does aluminum provide for consumer durables and every day household use?
			Aluminum is light weight, has an excellent appearance, is adaptable to all forms of fabrication, and its low cost of fabrication are the reasons for the broad usage of aluminum in household electrical appliances. Light-Weight is an important characteristic in vacuum cleaners, electric irons, portable dishwasher, food processors and blenders.
	5.		Will Aluminum rust?
			Aluminum is naturally attractive and resistant to corrosion. Unlike most other metals, it takes care of itself. When exposed to dry or moist air it combines with oxygen to form a tough, transparent, protective oxide coating. In the presence of moisture, aluminum will not rust as will steel but under certain conditions aluminum will water stain. Aluminum and other metals can stain when water is trapped between wraps, sheets or other mating surfaces. If there is no air flow to remove the water, prolonged contact between the water and the metal causes a reaction between the two which results in water stain.