What types of bonds can aluminum form: Covalent, Ionic and/or Metallic?Could you post the source, I\'ve been looking for a while now :/Well, any metal can have metallic bonds. Aluminum is a metal and is able to alloy with other metals to modify its properties. The criteria for covalent versus ionic are: (see link 1) If the electronegativities are equal (i.e. if the electronegativity difference is 0), the bond is non-polar covalent. If the difference in electronegativities between the two atoms is greater than 0, but less than 2.0, the bond is polar covalent. If the difference in electronegativities between the two atoms is 2.0, or greater, the bond is ionic. All you need to do is determine the difference in electronegativity to see if the bond is polar covalent or ionic for the compounds of aluminum. The official line is that if a metal and a nonmetal react then the bond is ionic. But, it is not quite that simple. We finally have to look at the difference in electronegativity between the element that make up the compound. Examples: Aluminum oxide Al2O3, aluminum chloride AlCl3 (actually this is Al2Cl6), aluminum fluoride AlF3, aluminum carbide Al4C3. Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 1.61 for Al Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 3.44 for O Difference = 1.83 Bond is polar covalent Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 1.61 for Al Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 3.16 for Cl Difference = 1.55 Bond is polar covalent Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 1.61 for Al Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 3.98 for F Difference = 2.37 Bond is ionic Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 1.61 for Al Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 2.55 for C Difference = 0.94 Bond is polar covalent This type of analysis can be done for many other actual compounds of aluminum. Try some yourself. Hope this is helpful to you. JIL HIRAluminum BondsAluminum forms metallic bonds in the metal and
aluminum alloys. Aluminum forms covalent bonds as with aluminum isopropoxide. Aluminum forms ionic bonds as in aluminum sulfate. Aluminum chloride is ionic in aqueous solution but molecular in solvents such as benzene.I have considerable experience with adhesives of all types and for your project would suggest either 3M\'s Scotch Weld DP 420 or Loctite\'s Epoxy Weld bonding compound. Both are two part formulas and are good for bonding aluminum. Hope that helps.Other related question