Which statement about aluminum properties is true?

• A. Aluminum can be soft and flexible or hard and brittle.
• B. Aluminum must always be soft and ductile.
• C. Aluminum cannot be shaped.
• D. Aluminum conducts electricity poorly.

Answer: (A)

Aluminum’s properties vary with alloy content and how it’s heat-treated. Pure aluminum is soft and very ductile, which makes it easy to form. But many aluminum alloys can be strengthened through alloying and aging, becoming hard and less ductile. That range means aluminum can be soft and flexible or hard and brittle depending on processing. It also conducts electricity well, so saying it conducts poorly isn’t correct, and it can be shaped into many forms, so claiming it cannot be shaped isn’t accurate.