Aluminium oxide is a chemical compound of aluminium and oxygen with the chemical

formula Al2O3. It is the most commonly occurring of several aluminium oxides, a

nd specifically identified as aluminium(III) oxide. It is commonly called alumin
a, and may also be called aloxide, aloxite, or alundum depending on particular f
orms or applications. It commonly occurs in its crystalline polymorphic phase aAl2O3, in which it composes the mineral corundum, varieties of which form the pr
ecious gemstones ruby and sapphire. Al2O3 is significant in its use to produce a
luminium metal, as an abrasive owing to its hardness, and as a refractory materi
al owing to its high melting point.[6]
Contents [hide]
1 Natural occurrence
2 Properties
2.1 Amphoteric nature
3 Structure
4 Production
5 Applications
5.1 Filler
5.2 Catalysis
5.3 Purification
5.4 Abrasive
5.5 Paint
5.6 Composite fiber
5.7 Abrasion protection
5.8 Other
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
Natural occurrence[edit]
Corundum is the most common naturally occurring crystalline form of aluminium ox
ide. Rubies and sapphires are gem-quality forms of corundum, which owe their cha
racteristic colors to trace impurities. Rubies are given their characteristic de
ep red color and their laser qualities by traces of chromium. Sapphires come in
different colors given by various other impurities, such as iron and titanium.
Properties[edit]
Aluminium oxide in its powdered form.
Aluminium oxide in its powdered form.
Al2O3 is an electrical insulator but has a relatively high thermal conductivity
(30 Wm-1K-1[3]) for a ceramic material. Aluminium oxide is insoluble in water. I
n its most commonly occurring crystalline form, called corundum or a-aluminium o
xide, its hardness makes it suitable for use as an abrasive and as a component i
n cutting tools.[6]
Aluminium oxide is responsible for the resistance of metallic aluminium to weath
ering. Metallic aluminium is very reactive with atmospheric oxygen, and a thin p
assivation layer of aluminium oxide (4 nm thickness) forms on any exposed alumin
ium surface.[7] This layer protects the metal from further oxidation. The thickn
ess and properties of this oxide layer can be enhanced using a process called an
odising. A number of alloys, such as aluminium bronzes, exploit this property by
including a proportion of aluminium in the alloy to enhance corrosion resistanc
e. The aluminium oxide generated by anodising is typically amorphous, but discha
rge assisted oxidation processes such as plasma electrolytic oxidation result in
a significant proportion of crystalline aluminium oxide in the coating, enhanci
ng its hardness.
Aluminium oxide was taken off the United States Environmental Protection Agency'
s chemicals lists in 1988. Aluminium oxide is on EPA's Toxics Release Inventory
list if it is a fibrous form.[8]