What is aluminium?

Aluminium is a metal which forms almost 8% of the earth’s crust. It is the most abundant of all the metals. It is not found free in nature. It is found combined with other substances forming parts of rocks and soils. Sapphires, rubies, garnets and other gems are compounds of aluminium. It is ideal for making cooking vessels. In 1886, a chemist, Charles Martin Hall, discovered a way to make aluminium cheaply and in large quantities.