Aluminium Oxide
Aluminium oxide, also known as alumina, is a chemical compound composed of aluminum and oxygen with the chemical formula Al2O3. It is the most commonly occurring crystalline form of aluminum oxide, which exists in several different forms depending on the temperature and pressure conditions during its formation.
Aluminium oxide has a high melting point of around 2050°C and a very high hardness, making it an excellent material for use in many industrial applications such as abrasives, refractories, ceramics, electrical insulators, catalysts, and more.
In terms of structure, aluminium oxide has a close-packed hexagonal crystal structure, which results in its high density and hardness. The crystal structure consists of layers of oxygen atoms that are closely packed together, with aluminum atoms occupying half of the available octahedral sites between these layers.
One interesting property of aluminium oxide is its ability to form a protective layer of aluminum oxide on its surface when exposed to air, which makes it highly resistant to corrosion. This layer can also be artificially produced through a process called anodization, which creates a thick layer of aluminum oxide on the surface of aluminum objects, providing additional protection against corrosion and wear.
Overall, aluminium oxide is an important and versatile material with many useful properties, making it a valuable component in numerous industrial applications.