Main research avenues

Social science and humanities ??? research on aluminium can be divided into four main areas:

Production of aluminium and its alloys
Scientific and technical developments since the mid-19th century (Sainte-Claire Deville, Hall-Héroult and Bayer processes, etc.), progress in aluminium metallurgy, fabrication and utilisation techniques, and the role of industrial research.

Markets and applications
Product and market development (transport, electricity, packaging, construction, decoration, etc.), competition between aluminium and other materials, innovation methods, marketing policies and consumer trends.

Structures and sector evolution
History of aluminium producers and converters worldwide, corporate sociology (pioneers, engineers, technicians and workers, sales & marketing and administrative management) and the general economics of production.

The aluminium civilisation
Aluminium’s role in the everyday environment, its perceived qualities and design use and the specificities of the non-ferrous metals culture.

... find out more about the history of aluminium...