This oxide layer can form incredibly quickly ... and increases the rate of reaction between the steam and aluminium due to the greater surface area in contact between the two.

the electrically insulating nature of aluminium oxide, and the general brittleness of aluminium when twisted. Yet while copper is superior to aluminium in terms of electrical conductivity and ease ...

Aluminium is unusual because it is a reactive metal that does not react with water. Its surface naturally forms a very thin layer of aluminium oxide that keeps water away from the metal below.

Aluminium is more reactive than carbon so it must be extracted from its compounds using electrolysis. Even though aluminium is more abundant than iron in the Earth's crust, aluminium is more ...