White corundum particles, known for their high hardness, excellent chemical stability, and wear resistance, are widely used in various industries such as abrasives, refractories, and electronics. As a leading supplier of white corundum particles, I often receive inquiries about how these particles react with different chemicals. In this blog post, I will explore the chemical reactivity of white corundum particles with several common chemicals and discuss the implications for different applications.
Chemical Composition and Structure of White Corundum
White corundum is primarily composed of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), with a purity typically exceeding 99%. Its crystal structure is a hexagonal close - packed lattice, which contributes to its high hardness (Mohs hardness of 9) and chemical stability. The strong covalent bonds between aluminum and oxygen atoms make white corundum resistant to many chemical attacks under normal conditions.
Reaction with Acids
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
At room temperature, white corundum particles show very low reactivity with hydrochloric acid. The strong covalent bonds in Al₂O₃ prevent the acid from easily breaking them. However, under high - temperature and high - pressure conditions, a slow reaction can occur. The reaction equation is as follows:
Al₂O₃ + 6HCl → 2AlCl₃+ 3H₂O
This reaction is of limited practical significance in most industrial applications, as the conditions required are extreme. In abrasive applications, the presence of hydrochloric acid in normal working environments will not cause significant damage to white corundum abrasives.
Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄)
Similar to hydrochloric acid, white corundum has low reactivity with sulfuric acid at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, a reaction can take place:
Al₂O₃ + 3H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃+ 3H₂O
This reaction is more likely to occur in concentrated sulfuric acid at high temperatures. In the production of refractories, where white corundum is often used, the potential contact with sulfuric acid should be considered, especially in environments such as chemical plants where sulfuric acid may be present.
Reaction with Bases
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
White corundum particles can react with sodium hydroxide, especially at high temperatures. The reaction equation is:
Al₂O₃ + 2NaOH + 3H₂O → 2Na[Al(OH)₄]
This reaction is important in the production of some aluminum - containing compounds. In refractory applications, contact with strong alkaline substances like sodium hydroxide should be avoided, as it can cause the degradation of white corundum materials over time.
Reaction with Oxidizing Agents
Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)
Under normal conditions, white corundum does not react with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild oxidizing agent, and the chemical stability of white corundum prevents any significant interaction. However, in some high - energy or catalytic environments, there may be some very minor surface - related effects, but these are not well - studied and are generally negligible in most applications.
Reaction with Reducing Agents
Carbon (C)
At high temperatures (usually above 1800°C), white corundum can react with carbon. The reaction is as follows:
3C + Al₂O₃ → 2Al + 3CO
This reaction is used in the production of aluminum metal through the carbothermal reduction process. In refractory applications, the presence of carbon - containing materials at high temperatures needs to be carefully controlled to prevent this reaction from occurring, as it can lead to the degradation of the refractory materials.
Implications for Different Applications
Abrasive Applications
In abrasive applications, the chemical stability of white corundum is a major advantage. Whether it is used in grinding wheels, sandpaper, or blasting media, the low reactivity with most chemicals ensures a long - lasting and effective abrasive performance. For example, when used in wet grinding operations where water - based coolants may be used, white corundum particles do not react with the coolant, maintaining their shape and cutting ability.
Refractory Applications
In refractory applications, the reactivity of white corundum with acids, bases, and reducing agents needs to be carefully considered. For example, in a furnace lining, if the furnace is used to process materials that may generate acidic or alkaline gases, the selection of white corundum - based refractories should be based on their resistance to these chemical environments.
Electronics Applications
In electronics, white corundum is often used as a substrate material. Its chemical stability is crucial to prevent any chemical reactions that could affect the performance of electronic components. For example, in semiconductor manufacturing, the low reactivity of white corundum ensures that it does not contaminate the semiconductor materials during the manufacturing process.
Related Products in Our Catalog
As a supplier of white corundum particles, we also offer a range of related products. Our First Class Brown Corundum is a high - quality abrasive material with different properties compared to white corundum. It has a slightly lower purity but is more cost - effective in some applications.
We also provide Brown Corundum Micro Powder and White Corundum Micro Powder. These micro - powders are used in precision grinding and polishing applications, where the particle size and chemical stability are critical factors.
Contact Us for Purchase and Discussion
If you are interested in our white corundum particles or related products, we welcome you to contact us for further discussion. Whether you have specific requirements for chemical reactivity, particle size, or application scenarios, our team of experts is ready to assist you. We can provide samples for testing and detailed technical support to ensure that our products meet your needs.
References
- "Introduction to Ceramics" by W. D. Kingery, H. K. Bowen, and D. R. Uhlmann.
- "Refractories Handbook" edited by R. C. mechanical and R. N. Schmitt.
- "Abrasive Technology" by R. L. Jackson.