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The wiki section on reactivity of aluminum is quite good and succinct:
"Aluminium in air is ordinarily protected by a molecule-thin layer of its own oxide. This aluminium oxide layer serves as a protective barrier to the underlying aluminium itself and prevents chemical reactions with the metal. Mercury coming into contact with it does no harm. However, if any elemental aluminium is exposed (even by a recent scratch), the mercury may combine with it to form the amalgam. This process can continue well beyond the immediately exposed metal surface, potentially reacting with a large part of the bulk aluminium before it finally ends.[4]

The net result is similar to the mercury electrodes often used in electrochemistry, except instead of providing electrons from an electrical supply they are provided by the aluminium which becomes oxidized in the process. The reaction that occurs at the surface of the amalgam may actually be a hydrogenation rather than a reduction.

The presence of water in the solution is reportedly necessary; the electron rich amalgam will oxidize aluminium and reduce H+ from water, creating aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and hydrogen gas (H2).[contradictory] The electrons from the aluminium reduce mercuric Hg2+ ion[clarification needed] to metallic mercury. The metallic mercury can then form an amalgam with the exposed aluminium metal. The amalgamated aluminium then is oxidized by water, converting the aluminium to aluminium hydroxide and releasing free metallic mercury. The generated mercury then cycles through these last two steps until the aluminium metal supply is exhausted.[4]

2Al + 3Hg2 + 6H2O -> 2Al(OH)3 + 6H+ +3Hg
Hg + Al -> Hg*Al
2 Hg*Al + 6 H2O -> 2 Al(OH)3 + 2 Hg + 3 H2

Due to the reactivity of aluminium amalgam, restrictions are placed on the use and handling of mercury in proximity with aluminium. In particular, large amounts of mercury are not allowed aboard aircraft under most circumstances because of the risk of it forming amalgam with exposed aluminium parts in the aircraft.[5] Even the transportation and packaging of mercury-containing thermometers and barometers is severely restricted.[6] Accidental mercury spills in aircraft do sometimes result in insurance write-offs.[7]


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVkpQKRgHvU