ALUMINA

Alumina (Al2O3) is one of the most important ceramic materials, both pure and as a ceramic and glass
component. Some uses of alumina are given in Table I an exhaustive and detailed description. The
usefulness of alumina derives from a variety of its properties. It has a high melting temperature of 2,054 oC,
and is chemically very stable and uncreative, leading to applications as high-temperature components,
catalyst substrates, and biomedical implants. The hardness, strength, and abrasion resistance of alumina are
among the highest for oxides. making it useful for abrasive materials, bearings and cutting tools. The
electrical resistance of alumina is high, so it is used pure and as a component in electrical insulators and
components. Alumina has excellent optical transparency, and along with additives such as chromium and
titanium, it is important as a gem stone (sapphires and rubies) and a laser host (ruby). Because of its high
melting temperature, chemical inertness, and optical transparency, it is highly useful for containing arcs in
street lamps. See Table 1
Table 1 Uses of Alumina
1. Solid alumina
Furnace components
Catalyst substrates
Electronics substrates
Electrical insulators
Cutting tools Bearings
Spark Plugs Arc lamp tubes
Laser hosts Gem stones
2. Alumina powders
Abrasives Catalyst pellets
3. Alumina coatings
Oxidation protection of aluminum and aluminum alloys Capacitors
Transistors
Bioceramics
4. Alumina fibers
Thermal insulators Fire retardation
5. Alumina as a component of
Ceramics and glasses
Mullite components
Electrical insulators Porcelains
Durable glasses