'low-aluminium' is a modern compound formed from the adjective 'low' and the noun 'aluminium'. 'aluminium' originates from New Latin (from Latin 'alumen'), specifically the word 'alumen', where 'alumen' meant 'alum' (a compound historically used in dyeing and tanning).

'aluminium' was named in the early 19th century (Sir Humphry Davy suggested names such as 'alumium' and 'aluminum' before 'aluminium' was adopted in British English); the American variant 'aluminum' later became common in the US. The compound 'low-aluminium' is a straightforward modern English formation using 'low' + 'aluminium'.

Initially related to the substance 'alum' and then applied to the metal now called 'aluminium' (or 'aluminum' in US usage); the compound 'low-aluminium' has the transparent, literal meaning 'having a small amount of aluminium' and has remained descriptive in technical and commercial contexts.