Duralumin

Description

Originally a trademark for an aluminum alloy that was developed by Alfred Wilm in Germany in 1906. Duralumin is composed of Aluminum (90%) alloyed with Copper (about 4%), Manganese (0.25-1.0%), and Magnesium (0.5-1.0%) along with trace amounts of Iron and Silicon. It was known for its strength and hardness. The age or heat hardened alloy is more resistant to corrosion than pure aluminum. The lightweight Duralumin was used for zeppelin airframes and parts in other early aircraft.

Synonyms and Related Terms

duraluminum; duralumin (Fr.); Hartaluminium (Deut.); duralumínio (Port.)

Resources and Citations

• Thomas Gregory, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942
• Ivan Amato, Stuff: The Materials the World is Made of, Avon Books, New York, 1997
• Duralumin at www.answers.com
• Wikipedia: Duralumin Access Oct. 2024