Detailed information about Alumina Products

- Industrial Guidance : Dhiru Parekh

Alumina stands for aluminum oxide chemical compound of aluminum and oxygen = chemical formula AI2O3. Aluminum oxide has proven to be an excellent thermal and electrical insulator. This products crystalline form is called 'corundum'. These products are used to harden abrasives as well as components in cutting tools.

These products are extensively used for manufacturing of aluminum metal as well as for furnace refectory. Because these products have heat resist property. 'Corundum' is an aluminum oxide obtained from a natural mineral. Which is also used for quality. Metallic aluminum reacts rapidly with ferric oxygen in the atmosphere. The process of these products is called 'anodizing'.

The ancient Greeks and Romans used aluminum salts as dyeing mordants (used to set the dye onto the fabric). The main component of industrial process aluminum oxide is bauxite, the principal 'ore' of aluminium.

Among the world's major alumina manufacturers are Alcoa, Alken and Rusal. These people are popular in the specialty production of Aluminum Oxide and Aluminum Hydroxide. First, impure bauxite 'ore' and silica were produced and then treated with sodium hydroxide to achieve purity.

Production:- The annual world production of alumina is estimated at about 60 ST. 90 percent of it is used for manufacturing aluminum metal by electrolysis. Excessive use is made for aluminum hydroxide as well as water treatment chemicals such as aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride, and sodium aluminate. Another product that is obtained from the calcination of aluminum hydroxide is aluminum oxide.

Applications:- Mostly used for zeolite, coating titania pigment and fire retardant.

The second type is used for refractory, ceramic, polishing and abrasive applications. A lesser variety is used in toothpaste formulations and commography. It has Basic (PS 9.5), and Water (PS 4.5). Aluminum oxide is also used in fluorescent light lamps.

Alumina is the most widely used oxide ceramic material such as spark plug, tape washer, pump seal, grinding media, abrasion resistant tiles, cutting tools, bioceramic (hip-joint), body armor, laboratories wear, part for the textiles, paper industries, Brick Refractories, Flake Graphite etc.

Key-Properties of Alumina:- High compressive strength, high hardness, resistant to abrasive, resistant to chemical attack by a wide range of chemicals even at elevated temperature, high thermal conductivity, high degree of refractoriness, high dielectric strength, high electrical resistivity even At elevated temperature, transparent to microwave radio frequencies.

Commercial Grade Alumina:- Aluminum Oxide exists in many forms like:- Smelter Grade Alumina, Calcined Alumina, Reactive Alumina, Tubular Alumina, Fued Alumina, High Purity Alumina etc.

License:- The license under the Industries Act and clearance from Pollution Control Board is required.