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Aluminium, also spelled aluminium in some varieties of English, is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, comprising about 8.1% by weight. Aluminium is a lightweight, silvery-white metal that is soft and highly ductile. A defining feature is its reactive surface, which rapidly forms a thin, protective oxide layer (Al2O3) that passivates the metal and provides corrosion resistance.

Aluminium occurs mainly in the mineral bauxite. Commercial production involves extracting alumina from bauxite through the Bayer process, then reducing alumina to metallic aluminium by electrolysis in the Hall–Héroult process. The metal is widely recycled; melting scrap aluminium requires only a small fraction of the energy of primary production.

Historically, aluminium was first isolated in 1825 by Hans Christian Ørsted and later refined by Friedrich Wöhler. The element’s name has varied: aluminium is the international spelling, while aluminum is common in American usage. The symbol is Al.

Aluminium alloys—often containing magnesium, silicon, or other elements—combine lightness with strength and are used in aerospace, automotive, and construction. The metal is also central to packaging (notably beverage cans), electrical transmission lines, and various consumer goods. Its good conductivity and workability support a wide range of forms, including sheets, foils, and extrusions; anodizing can enhance surface hardness and color.

Because aluminium production is energy-intensive, recycling plays a key environmental role. Aluminium is generally non-toxic, but inhalation of dust and certain aluminium compounds can pose health risks, and some studies have explored potential links to neurodegenerative diseases, though evidence remains inconclusive.