Aluminum is used in a wide range of everyday and industrial applications due to its combination of light weight, strength, corrosion resistance, and good thermal and electrical conductivity. Here are the major uses, organized by category:

Construction and packaging

• Buildings and infrastructure: structural components, window frames, roofing, cladding, and curtain walls for light weight and corrosion resistance.
• Packaging: beverage cans, food containers, foil, and reflective packaging materials.

Transportation

• Aerospace and aviation: airframes, fuselages, wings, and engine components because of high strength-to-weight ratio.
• Automotive: engine components, cylinder heads, radiators, body panels, wheels, and increasingly in electric vehicles for lightweight battery housings and structural elements.
• Other transport: trains, ships, bicycles, and other vehicles benefit from reduced weight and durability.

Electrical and electronics

• Conductors and components: used in power transmission lines, transformers, motors, and electrical devices due to good conductivity, lightness, and corrosion resistance.
• Electronics enclosures and chassis: durable housings with attractive finishes.

Consumer goods and appliances

• Kitchenware and cookware: pots, pans, and utensils because of excellent heat transfer and ease of fabrication.
• Home appliances and electronics: casings and heat sinks in devices like computers, smartphones, and LED lighting.

Industrial and machinery

• Machinery, piping, and equipment: due to corrosion resistance and low maintenance requirements.
• Heat exchangers and radiators: effective heat dissipation in various industrial systems.

Special and emerging uses

• Renewable energy: components in solar panels, wind turbines, and battery housings.
• Sports and leisure equipment: lightweight bicycles, fishing gear, camping gear, and outdoor furniture.

If you’d like, I can tailor this list to a specific industry (e.g., automotive, aerospace, or packaging) or provide examples of common aluminum alloys used for those applications.