The unique properties of aluminium are the cure for the medical industry
Aluminium is a light, silvery-white metal with the chemical symbol AI and atomic number 13, which is one of the most common elements in the Earth's crust. It is also one of the most widely used materials in medicine, due to several issues.
Of key importance to the medical industry are the specific properties of aluminium. The metal is known for its lightness, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, non-toxicity and ductility, which is why it is used in the manufacture of reliable tools and equipment used to save lives.
- Aluminium is three times lighter than steel, making it an ideal metal for the manufacture of convenient and precise tools and medical equipment. Its light weight has a huge impact on the comfort of staff, the transport of equipment, and the daily lives of patients using, for example, lightweight aluminium prostheses.
- The excellent mechanical properties of aluminium make it the ideal material for creating long-lasting surgical instruments, wheelchair frames or operating tables. What's more, it is characterised by high corrosion resistance, which is of great importance in the medical industry, where hygiene and sterility are absolutely key. It is worth adding that the metal's scratch and wear resistance can be improved by various processes, such as nickel plating of aluminium.
- Aluminium machining is relatively easy due to the high ductility of this metal. This makes it possible to realise even the most complex and unusual orders for the medical industry.
- Non-toxicity. Aluminium does not emit harmful substances or fumes and is a biocompatible metal, meaning that it does not cause negative reactions in patients' bodies. It can therefore be used to manufacture surgical instruments, implants and other components that come into direct contact with the human body.
- Good thermal conductivity. This property makes aluminium useful in equipment that needs to be temperature-controlled (e.g., surgical instruments) or to monitor body temperature.
It is also noteworthy that instruments and devices made of this metal are aesthetically pleasing, which makes it possible to design patient-friendly and confidence-inspiring surgeries or operating theatres.
All this makes the use of aluminium in the medical industry extremely widespread, and the metal contributes to its development and significantly enhances the ability of specialists to protect and save lives.