Alumina

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Saffil 200x, ICI Americas
Saffil 200x, ICI Americas

Description

Common name for natural or synthetic Aluminum oxide. It is a white, hard, insoluble powder. Aluminum oxide naturally occurs in some feldspars, Alumina trihydrate, Corundum, gibbsite, Bauxite, Ruby, and Sapphire. It was first extract commercially from bauxite in 1888 using the Bayer process. Aluminum oxide is extremely hard and is used as an abrasive both in its natural (corundum, Emery) and synthetic (Alundum) forms. Synthetic alumina is prepared primarily in three forms: activated alumina, smelter-grade alumina, and calcined alumina. The porous, granular activated alumina aggressively absorbs liquid water and water vapor. The fine-grain calcined alumina is a dense impermeable ceramic material used for abrasives, refractories, electrical insulation, high temperature crucibles, and dental restoration. It is also used as a filler for paints, glass, and ceramics. When added to glaze mixtures, aluminum oxide increases viscosity during firing, prevents devitrification during cooling, and adds durability to the final surface.

See also Alpha alumina and Gamma alumina.

Saffil 500x, ICI Americas

Synonyms and Related Terms

aluminum oxide; aluminium oxide; almina (Esp.); alumine (Fr.); alumina (Port.); xido de alumnio (Port.); activated alumina; Alundum; Aloxite; Bausilite; White Bauxilite; corundum

Applications

FTIR (AAI)

AaiAlumina.jpg

Raman (RRUFF)

Corundum Raman RRUFF R040096.png


Risks

  • Fire retardant.
  • Dust may cause irritation with skin contact or inhalation.
  • ThermoFisher: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in mineral acids and strong alkali. Insoluble in water.

Composition Al2O3
CAS 1344-28-1
Mohs Hardness 9.0
Melting Point 2040 C
Molecular Weight mol. wt. = 101.96

Comparisons

Properties of Common Abrasives

Resources and Citations

  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 34
  • Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  • Robert Fournier, Illustrated Dictionary of Practical Pottery, Chilton Book Company, Radnor, PA, 1992
  • R.M.Organ, Design for Scientific Conservation of Antiquities, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, 1968