Technical Description:
Aluminum Oxide Micron Powder (Al₂O₃, 99.5+%, 2-14 µm) is a high-purity fine powder made of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) with a purity of 99.5% or higher. The powder has an average particle size range of 2-14 micrometers (µm), which is considered a fine to medium-sized powder. This size range provides a balance between surface area and flowability, making it suitable for a variety of industrial applications that require precision, strength, and high thermal stability.
- Chemical Composition:
- Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃) content: 99.5+%, ensuring the powder has a high degree of purity and minimal contamination, which is essential for high-performance applications in industries such as electronics, aerospace, and ceramics.
- Particle Size:
- The powder has a particle size range of 2-14 µm, which is fine enough to provide a large surface area for chemical reactions or sintering, while still large enough to maintain good flowability for various manufacturing processes. The distribution of particle sizes ensures the powder can be used effectively in various industries that require uniformity and consistency.
- Shape:
- The powder particles are typically irregular in shape, which is common for micron-sized powders. This irregularity allows for better mechanical interlocking during sintering or compacting, contributing to high-density sintered components with improved mechanical properties.
- Purity:
- With a 99.5+% purity, the powder ensures minimal impurities, making it suitable for applications where material consistency and performance are critical, such as in advanced ceramics, coatings, and electronic components.
Applications:
- Abrasives:
- Aluminum oxide is widely used in the production of abrasives such as sandpapers, grinding wheels, and polishing compounds. The 2-14 µm aluminum oxide powder is ideal for precision grinding and polishing, offering high hardness and wear resistance, making it suitable for metalworking, ceramic finishing, and electronics applications.
- Ceramics and Refractories:
- Alumina powder is used to produce advanced ceramics and refractory materials. The fine powder is used to create components such as insulating parts, crucibles, high-temperature coatings, and kiln linings. Its high thermal stability and strength make it ideal for applications exposed to extreme conditions, such as in aerospace and chemical processing industries.
- Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing):
- Aluminum oxide powder with the 2-14 µm particle size is suitable for additive manufacturing processes such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). The fine powder allows for high-precision printing of complex geometries, producing high-performance parts in industries like aerospace, medical implants, and automotive.
- Catalysts and Catalyst Supports:
- Alumina is often used as a catalyst support in industrial processes, such as hydrogenation, alkylation, and refining. The 2-14 µm alumina powder provides a high surface area for the deposition of active catalytic sites, enhancing the efficiency of chemical reactions. Alumina-supported catalysts are widely used in petrochemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Thermal Management:
- Alumina has excellent thermal conductivity and thermal stability, making it an ideal material for use in thermal management applications. Aluminum oxide powder is used in the production of heat sinks, thermal interface materials (TIMs), and thermal coatings for electronics, power devices, and LED lighting. The powder helps dissipate heat effectively and protect sensitive components from thermal damage.
- Electrical Insulation:
- Aluminum oxide is an excellent electrical insulator and is used in the production of insulating coatings, electrical substrates, and microelectronic devices. The 2-14 µm alumina powder is used to create insulating layers and substrates for components that need to operate under high voltage or temperature conditions, such as in power electronics, sensors, and circuit boards.
- Coatings and Surface Treatments:
- Alumina powder is used to produce abrasive coatings that improve the wear resistance, hardness, and corrosion resistance of metal surfaces. The powder is commonly used in thermal spray coating and plasma spray coating applications, especially for aerospace components, engine parts, and turbine blades exposed to high temperatures and harsh environments.
- Optical Applications:
- Aluminum oxide is used in optical coatings and lenses due to its high durability, transparency in the UV-IR spectrum, and resistance to abrasion. Alumina is often used to produce coatings for optical instruments, lenses, and optical fibers, improving their durability and resistance to scratching.
- Hydrogen Storage:
- Alumina is explored in hydrogen storage technologies as part of metal hydride systems for hydrogen fuel cells and energy storage solutions. The fine aluminum oxide powder helps improve the efficiency of these systems by providing a stable medium for storing and releasing hydrogen gas.
- Biomedical Applications:
- Alumina is used in biomedical devices such as dental implants, joint replacements, and surgical tools due to its biocompatibility and strength. Alumina ceramics are highly wear-resistant, making them ideal for applications that require high durability and long-lasting performance. The fine powder is used to create smooth, durable, and wear-resistant surfaces for implants and medical devices.
- Paints and Pigments:
- Alumina powder is used in the paint and pigment industries to produce white pigments and opacity-enhancing additives. Aluminum oxide is also used in fire retardant paints and coatings to enhance the fire resistance and durability of surfaces in applications like construction, marine, and automotive industries.
- Filtration and Separation:
- Alumina powder is used in the manufacture of filter materials and adsorbents. Aluminum oxide is used in water filtration systems, oil refining, and chemical separations due to its high surface area, which allows it to efficiently adsorb impurities and contaminants from liquids or gases.
Summary of Benefits:
- High Purity: The 99.5%+ purity ensures minimal contamination, making the powder suitable for high-performance applications in ceramics, coatings, electronics, and medical devices.
- Particle Size Range (2-14 µm): The 2-14 µm particle size offers a balance between high surface area and handling properties, making it ideal for sintering, powder metallurgy, and advanced manufacturing processes like additive manufacturing.
- Spherical Shape: The spherical particles enhance flowability, packing density, and uniformity, which is essential for efficient manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing, powder coating, and catalyst production.
- Versatility: The powder is highly versatile and used in a wide range of industries including abrasives, ceramics, catalysts, electronics, thermal management, and biomedical applications.
Conclusion:
Aluminum Oxide Micron Powder (99.5+, 2-14 µm) is a high-performance material that offers excellent properties such as hardness, thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and electrical insulation. Its fine particle size, high purity, and spherical shape make it suitable for a variety of advanced applications in industries such as abrasives, ceramics, catalysts, electronics, thermal management, and biomedical devices. This powder plays a crucial role in producing durable, high-performance components and materials that are essential for high-tech and industrial applications.