The most commonly utilized oxide ceramic material is alumina (aluminum oxide). Tap washers, spark plugs, abrasion-resistant tiles, and cutting tools are just a few of its numerous uses. Additionally, the production of brick and monolithic refractories uses very high tonnages. Sliding gate and pouring spouts valves are two further, more challenging uses that combine it with other materials such as flake graphite.
The demand for alumina will also increase in the near future due to the surge in interest in high-performance materials for gas turbines and stationary devices for energy storage like lithium-ion batteries. The need for high-performance materials is growing due to governments’ increased focus on reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and greater attention to diversifying their energy portfolios by including renewable resources for power generation. Here are 7 of the important and useful uses of alumina in diverse industrial sectors.
Abrasives
Numerous industrial abrasive compounds that are used to form industrial components extensively utilize alumina. This is mostly because of alumina’s higher strength and hardness, which enable it to function in various tools and applications. It’s interesting to note that the roles may also be switched around, with alumina serving as a coating to prevent abrasion from other industrial products.
Refractories
Alumina powder is frequently used in refractory materials due to its thermal capacity and high melting point. Alumina is particularly helpful in circumstances when the refractory’s strength must be maintained at high temperatures. Refractories are used in processes including creating iron and steel, cement, waste incineration, and petrochemical processing.
Glass
Adding alumina to the design and manufacturing of glass items is a terrific idea, especially when more durability and strength are required. Glass that is bulletproof and shatterproof is frequently produced with alumina powder. Alumina has also been investigated for its capacity in the development of fully indestructible glass, even though this is an impossible feat.
Ceramics
Alumina powder is often used in ceramics, especially in “engineered” ceramics, which are more sophisticated or technically sophisticated. These substances have been developed for very demanding applications that need thermal stability, higher wear resistance, and many other properties that make alumina such a desirable component of so many products.
Medical Industry
Alumina is a favored material for many biomedical applications due to its hardness and advantageous chemical characteristics. Alumina is utilized in a variety of bionic implants, dental implants, prosthetic eye replacements, prosthetic limb bearings, and prosthetic hip replacement bearings. It is also utilized outside of the body in the medical sector in lab instruments and equipment such as furnaces, crucibles, and other labware.
Military and Protective Equipment
Known for its durability and low weight, alumina is a suitable material for making protective gear for both military and civilian use. Alumina is used to make armor for people, cars, and airplanes, with the latter application being the material’s biggest market. Additionally, it is employed to create fixed object ballistics and bulletproof glass.
Broad Industrial Applications
Numerous industrial products, including nozzles, reducers, hydro cyclones, and valves, as well as piping parts like tees, elbows, and straight pipes, may be made of alumina. Additionally, it is a fantastic material for cutting tools, thermocouple sheaths, and wear-resistant pump impellers.