Aluminum Oxide: Properties, Uses, and Benefits
Aluminum oxide is frequently used as a polishing and etching agent in finishing services. Although there are several materials available that are made specifically for this usage, aluminum oxide has unique qualities that set it apart from other finishing service methods. You will discover everything about aluminum oxide, its properties, applications, and advantages in this post.
What Is Aluminum Oxide?
Aluminum and oxygen are combined to form aluminum oxide. Despite having a metallic name, it is classified as ceramic. Its industrial applications include sodium-vapor lamps, and its expanding nanotechnology sector uses aluminum oxide as an electrical conductor in small circuits.
Properties Of Aluminum Oxide
Alumina stands out from many related materials due to its superior mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties by providing equivalent to or better options for affordable production and manufacturing.
The following characteristics determine how well it performs:
- Aluminum oxide is used mostly as blasting media because of how aggressive it is, which is typically used on wood, glass, metal, and other materials. Professionals in the finishing services industry love it for its durability and adaptability
- The fact that aluminum oxide is ground down to different grains, much like sandpaper, is one of its fundamental characteristics. It can be applied to a variety of things, and what's better is that the finishing component can be recycled. You can use it till it is destroyed.
- Because of aluminum oxide's long shelf life, you don't have to worry if you purchase a lot of it and don't use it right away. You can use it later.
- Aluminum oxide is less expensive than other raw materials finishing methods. Therefore, you can comfortably fulfill your budget without too many problems, regardless of your budget.
- Depending on the material being blasted and the pressure applied during blasting, the rate at which the aluminum oxide degrades varies. Aluminum oxide is ideal for usage in a wide range of metals, including titanium and stainless steel, to name a few, due to its excellent strength and endurance.
Chemical Properties Of Aluminum Oxide
PROPERTY |
VALUE |
Melting point |
2,072 °C (3,762 °F; 2,345 K) |
Boiling point |
2,977 °C (5,391 °F; 3,250 K) |
Hardness |
15 – 19 GPa (9 on the Mohs scale) |
Electrical resistivity |
1012 – 1013 Ωm |
Mechanical strength |
300 – 630 MPa |
Compressive strength |
2,000 – 4,000 MPa |
Thermal conductivity |
20 – 30 W/mK |
Molecular mass |
101.96 g/mol |
Density |
3.95 g/cm3 |
Appearance |
Solid |
Uses Of Aluminum Oxide
The Aluminum oxide can be used in a wide range of applications. Some of them are as follows:
- Decorative
- Lapping
- Non-Skid
- Refractory Coating
- Etching
- Abrasive blasting
Aluminum oxide is the master of all blasting processes, whether you need a dry or wet procedure. For excellent paint and coating adhesion, aluminum oxide works well as an anchor pattern and deep etching agent. Additionally, it can be used to remove impurities, failing paint, mill scale, rust, and scale from substrate surfaces.
Benefits Of Aluminum Oxide
- Cost-Effective – Due to its ability to be recovered and retrieved for more blasting passes, aluminum oxide is also a cost-effective blasting abrasive.
- High Strength – Because aluminum oxide is a tougher abrasive than most, there is less particle shattering, which lowers the amount of dust produced.
- Low-Iron Content – Aluminum oxide is a low-iron content abrasive that won't cause any rust to appear on the surface of your part. Rust deposits can cause problems with upcoming processes.
- Recyclable – If you are a major user who produces a lot of used abrasives, you can also recycle them back to the manufacturer for another use, which will save your disposal costs.
- Versatility – Aluminum oxide is a versatile material for a variety of industrial applications when it comes to finishing services.