Determining whether a material is composed of this lightweight metal often involves a combination of visual inspection and simple tests. For instance, observing a dull, silver-gray appearance with a slightly rough texture can be indicative. Furthermore, the relative lightness compared to other metals of similar size is a key characteristic.
Accurate identification provides benefits ranging from efficient recycling processes to ensuring proper material selection in engineering applications. Historically, recognizing this metal facilitated advancements in industries like aerospace and construction due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.