Calcined alumina, also known as aluminium oxide or alumina, is a fine white powder derived from naturally occurring bauxite ore through calcination. The powder is composed of small crystalline alumina grains that are approximately 1 micrometer in diameter. Calcination involves heating bauxite to high temperatures above 1000°C to remove water and carbon dioxide from aluminium hydroxide, transforming it into an odorless white powder. Calcined alumina powder has a very high melting point of over 2000°C, making it one of the most refractory materials known.

Properties and Characteristics

Calcined Alumina Powder possesses some unique properties that contribute to its widespread usage. It has high purity levels above 99% and is mostly inert and non-reactive in nature. The powder has excellent electrical insulating properties and can withstand high temperatures without sustaining structural damage. Calcined alumina is also extremely hard with a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamond. It has low thermal conductivity combined with high thermal shock resistance. Other key properties include high compressive strength, low porosity, and high brightness that offers applications in abrasive and refractory materials.

Uses in Abrasives

One of the largest end uses of calcined alumina lies in abrasive applications due to its unparalleled hardness. It is predominantly used as a raw material in manufacturing grinding wheels, sharpening stones, honing sticks, coated abrasives and abrasive paper. The small, hard crystalline structure of the powder makes it ideal for cutting, grinding, sharpening and polishing a wide variety of materials even at high speeds. Calcined alumina increases the cutting life of abrasive products while providing consistent, contamination-free performance.

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