CALCINED ALUMINA

Grain Shape – Calcined alumina grains are normally

composed of single platey crystals, whereas fused
aluminum oxide grains tend to be fractions of large
 crystals and blocky in shape. A calcined crystal is
theoretically a six-sided disc with a thickness of
about one fifth of its diameter. This will vary from
one type of crude to another but remains fairly
consistent for any given type of calcined alumina.
The measurement of the diameter of the particle is
referred to as the material’s “ultimate crystal size.”
The crude alumina is composed of aggregates of
crystals which are broken up in a milling process to
produce a material of individual crystals in the
ultimate crystal size.

Purity – Calcined aluminas are more pure than fused

aluminum oxide products with the exception of fused
white aluminum oxide (both over 99% Al2O3).
Calcined aluminas, when milled, retain the chemistry
of the unmilled crude more closely than fused
aluminum oxide. For example, dark fused aluminum
oxide crude (typically 96% Al2O3) when processed
into lapping powder sizes, will typically lose several
percentage points of Al2O3. This is because the
impurities in the crude are more easily crushed and
migrate into the fine powder sizes.

PRECISION ALUMINA
High quality, tightly sized calcined alumina powder for
demanding precision applications.

Norton Industrial Grade Precision Alumina

(code 7920)
Designed for use in metal lapping when high cut-rate
and low surface roughness is desired. Tightly sized
through air classification. Sizes 3.0, 5.0, 9.0, 12.0,
15.0, 20.0, 22.0, 25.0 microns.

Norton Industrial Grade Precision Alumina,

suspension treated (code 7947)
Same as code 7920 but coated with a powdered
suspension agent. Designed for lapping applications
where a water based vehicle is used and an agent is
needed to aid suspension and prevent hard packing.
Sizes same as 7920.

The information contained in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable but is presented without guarantee or warranty on the part of Saint-Gobain
Grains & Powders. Further, nothing present herein should be interpreted as an inducement to practice invention without an appropriate license.
Norton Electronics Grade Precision Alumina (code 7921)
Extremely tight sizing is achieved through a proprietary two-
part classification system. In addition, complete
deagglomeration of particles without fracturing individual
platelets make this our highest quality alumina powder. This
product is designed for and sold into markets where tight
particle size distribution and coarse grain control are
required. Ideal for semiconductor and quartz lapping
applications. Sizes 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 9.0, 12.0, 15.0,
20.0, 22.0, 25.0.
Norton Electronics Grade Precision Alumina,
suspension treated (code 7923)
Our highest quality grain, 7921, coated with a powdered
suspension agent. Designed for demanding lapping
applications where a water based vehicle is used and an
agent is needed to aid suspension and prevent hard packing.
Ideal for silicon wafer lapping where suspension vehicles are
not used. Sizes same as 7921.
SUBMICRON ALUMINA
High purity calcined aluminas 0.5 micron and below for
magnetic media and for fine polishing.
7988 E330
High purity (99.1%) alpha alumina with an average particle
size of 0.50 microns, with 95% less than 2.0 microns. Used
as an addition to coatings for magnetic media products.
Coatings with E-330 additions are normally 200 microinches
or thicker. Can be used in most video, audio and computer
tape applications.
7983 E440
High purity (99.1%) alpha alumina with an average particle
size of 0.35 microns, with 95% less than 1.1 microns. Used
in magnetic media coatings where the coating thickness is
80-200 microinches. An excellent product for coatings for
disks or for producers of video, audio and computer tape
who desire an alumina finer than E330.
7990 E500
Very high purity (99.7%) alpha alumina with an average
particle size of 0.40 microns, with 95% less than 1.0 micron
and no particles larger than 2.0 microns. Used as a non-
magnetic additive in magnetic media coating formulations
for high density floppy discs as well as high grade audio and
video tape where high quality, tight sizing and 2.0 micron
coarse particle control are required.
7991 E600
Very high purity (99.7) alpha alumina, with an average
particle size of 0.35 microns, with 95% less than 0.75
microns and no particles larger than 1.0 micron. Used as a
non-magnetic additive in magnetic media coating
1 New Bond Street, Box Number 15137, Worcester, MA 01615-0137 Tel: (508) 795-5000
Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
formulations for super high grade audio and video tape and
also for high density floppy discs where 1.0 micron coarse
particle control is required.
NORTON CUT RATE ENHANCED SLURRIES
Premixed slurries using precision alumina mixed with
Norton’s proprietary additives.
Water Based Precision Alumina Norton CRE Slurry
(code 7993)
A blend of our Precision Aluminas with water and
proprietary additives to allow for improved surface finish
while maintaining or exceeding current removal rates. This
product will give the action of an oil based but with the
environmental benefits of a water based.
Oil Based Precision Alumina Norton CRE Slurry
(code 7981)
A traditional oil based slurry but with our Precision
Aluminas and proprietary additives to allow for improved
surface finish while maintaining or exceeding current
removal rates.
GENERAL PURPOSE ALUMINA
Aluminas for less critical applications where price of the
material is also a concern.
9410 E111H
A 98% alumina powder with an average size of about 15
micron. Traditionally used in bar and liquid compounds.
Can also be used for lapping where a soft acting, broadsized
alumina is acceptable.
9407 E70
A high purity alpha alumina powder with a typical average
particle size of 4.5 microns with 95% finer than 13 microns.
Used extensively as a friction enhancing material in rake
linings and as an addition to compounds.
7930 Levigated Alumina
A 98% alumina powder of approximately 5 microns average
particle size with 95% finer than 10 microns. Used in
polishing and buffing compounds, heat sink additives,
thermal conductivity/electrical resistant coatings, and as an
abrasion resistant coating (metals) or additive (plastics,
epoxies, laminates).
7987 E266
A 98% alumina powder of approximately 4 microns average
particle size and 95% finer than 10 microns. Used for
lapping and also in compounds.
©2004 Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.