As a supplier of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide, I often get asked about the Mohs hardness scale value of this remarkable material. In this blog post, I'll delve into the details of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide, explain its Mohs hardness, and discuss its significance in various applications.
What is Brown Fused Alumina Oxide?
Brown Fused Alumina Oxide, also known as Brown Aluminum Oxide or Brown Fused Aluminum Oxide, is a synthetic abrasive material. It is produced by fusing high - purity bauxite in an electric arc furnace at extremely high temperatures, typically around 2000 - 2200 degrees Celsius. During this process, impurities are removed, and the bauxite is transformed into a hard, dense, and tough material.
The chemical composition of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide mainly consists of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), usually with a content ranging from 94.5% to 97%. Other components include titanium dioxide (TiO₂), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), and small amounts of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) and calcium oxide (CaO). The specific composition can vary slightly depending on the raw materials and production process.
The Mohs Hardness Scale
Before we discuss the Mohs hardness of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide, let's briefly review the Mohs hardness scale. Developed by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in 1812, the Mohs hardness scale is a qualitative ordinal scale that characterizes the scratch resistance of various minerals. The scale ranges from 1 (the softest) to 10 (the hardest).
Here are some well - known minerals and their corresponding Mohs hardness values:
- Talc: 1
- Gypsum: 2
- Calcite: 3
- Fluorite: 4
- Apatite: 5
- Orthoclase feldspar: 6
- Quartz: 7
- Topaz: 8
- Corundum: 9
- Diamond: 10
The scale is based on the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer one. For example, if a mineral can scratch calcite but not fluorite, its Mohs hardness is between 3 and 4.
Mohs Hardness of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide
Brown Fused Alumina Oxide has a Mohs hardness of approximately 9. This places it very close to the top of the Mohs hardness scale, just below diamond. The high hardness is one of the key properties that make Brown Fused Alumina Oxide such a valuable material in many industrial applications.
The high Mohs hardness means that Brown Fused Alumina Oxide can effectively scratch and abrade materials with lower hardness values. It is capable of cutting, grinding, and polishing a wide range of substances, including metals, ceramics, glass, and plastics.
Significance of High Hardness in Applications
Abrasive Applications
One of the most common uses of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide is in abrasive products. Its high hardness allows it to be used in grinding wheels, sandpaper, abrasive belts, and blasting media.
In grinding wheels, Brown Fused Alumina Oxide grains are bonded together to form a wheel that can be used to shape and finish metal parts. The high hardness ensures that the grains can maintain their cutting edges for a long time, reducing the need for frequent wheel dressing and replacement.
For sandpaper and abrasive belts, the Brown Fused Alumina Oxide particles are coated on a flexible backing. These products are used for surface preparation, such as smoothing rough surfaces, removing rust, and deburring. The high hardness enables the abrasive to cut through tough materials quickly and efficiently.
When used as blasting media, Brown Fused Alumina Oxide can clean, etch, and prepare surfaces for coating. It can remove paint, scale, and other contaminants from metal, concrete, and stone surfaces.
Refractory Applications
Brown Fused Alumina Oxide is also used in refractory materials. Refractories are materials that can withstand high temperatures without deforming or melting. The high hardness and chemical stability of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide make it suitable for use in furnaces, kilns, and other high - temperature applications.
In furnace linings, Brown Fused Alumina Oxide bricks or castables can resist the erosive effects of molten metals and slag. The high hardness helps the refractory material maintain its structural integrity under the harsh conditions of high - temperature environments.
Other Applications
In addition to abrasive and refractory applications, Brown Fused Alumina Oxide is used in other areas. It can be used as a filler in composite materials to improve their hardness and wear resistance. It is also used in waterjet cutting as an abrasive additive to enhance the cutting ability of the waterjet.
Comparison with Other Abrasive Materials
To better understand the value of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide, let's compare its Mohs hardness with other common abrasive materials.
Black Silicon Carbide
Black Silicon Carbide For Sandblasting is another popular abrasive material. It has a Mohs hardness of around 9.25, which is slightly higher than that of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide. However, Brown Fused Alumina Oxide is more commonly used in many applications because it is less brittle than black silicon carbide. This means that Brown Fused Alumina Oxide grains can withstand more impact and pressure without breaking, making it more suitable for heavy - duty grinding and cutting operations.
White Fused Alumina
White Fused Alumina is a purer form of aluminum oxide with a Mohs hardness similar to Brown Fused Alumina Oxide (around 9). However, white fused alumina is more expensive due to its higher purity and better - controlled production process. Brown Fused Alumina Oxide offers a good balance between performance and cost, making it a more economical choice for many industrial applications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mohs hardness of Brown Fused Alumina Oxide is approximately 9, which makes it a very hard and versatile material. Its high hardness enables it to be used in a wide range of applications, including abrasives, refractories, and composite materials.
If you are in the market for Brown Fused Alumina Oxide, whether for abrasive products, refractory applications, or other uses, I encourage you to contact us for a detailed discussion. We can provide you with high - quality Brown Fused Alumina Oxide products tailored to your specific requirements.
References
- ASTM International. (Year). Standard test methods for Mohs hardness of minerals. ASTM [Standard Number].
- Handbook of Abrasive Technology. (Publisher, Year).
- Industrial Minerals and Their Uses. (Author, Publisher, Year).
