5.5 Explain the uses of aluminium and iron, in terms of their properties

Aluminium:
It has low density, which makes it light for its size, and it is strong. This makes it good for the bodies of planes, light vehicles and ladders.
Also, it has a very thin layer of its oxides in its surface, preventing water and oxygen getting to it, and therefore making aluminium a metal which resists oxidation. Aluminium is also malleable (like most metals), making it ideal for drinking cans and cooking foil.
Finally, it conducts heat and electricity well (although not as well as copper, so maybe don't make this your first choice of property) so it is used in power cables and saucepans (and other cooking materials).

Iron:
Iron is one of the three magnetic materials (the other being cobalt and nickel) so it is usually used in electromagnets (for example as a huge electromagnet in scrapyards which picks up cars and other magnetic materials).
There are two types of iron:
- WROUGHT IRON (aka pure iron): malleable and soft, and mainly used as ornamental work in gates)
- CAST IRON: an alloy of iron and carbon (NOT steel). It is very brittle, but has a greater resistance to corrosion than wrought iron or steel and is also VERY STRONG (used for manhole covers on roads and pavements and as engine blocks for petrol/diesel engines)

- Iron can be used to form an alloy called steel which is often used in construction

- Used to make magnets

- Used to make boats, cars, etc.

- Used to make surgical equipment

(more uses click here)

See the BBC Bitesize page - it's really helpful

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa_pre_2011/rocks/metalsrev2.shtml)