White Alumina, commonly referred to as aluminum oxide or fused aluminum oxide, has a variety of abrasive properties that make it a versatile and valuable material across a wide range of industries. Here are some of its key abrasive properties:
Hardness: With a hardness slightly lower than diamond, white aluminum oxide is one of the most complex synthetic materials, making it ideal for applications that require aggressive cutting or grinding.
High Brittleness: This property allows the material to break down quickly, exposing new, sharp cutting edges during the grinding process, which increases efficiency.
Heat Resistance: The material's high melting point allows it to maintain its structural integrity even at high temperatures, making it suitable for applications involving heat-sensitive substances.
Chemical Stability: White aluminum oxide is chemically inert, meaning it does not react with processed materials, which is critical for industries such as pharmaceutical and food processing.
Versatility: White aluminum oxide is available in a variety of particle sizes, making it useful for both large-scale material removal and precision polishing applications.
Non-Magnetic: Its non-magnetic properties allow it to be used in applications where magnetism would be detrimental, such as in the manufacture of electronic components.
Polishing Applications of White Aluminum Oxide
White aluminum oxide is a popular choice for many polishing applications due to its high hardness, high brittleness, and versatility. Here are some key areas where white aluminum oxide is often used:
Metal Polishing: White aluminum oxide is widely used in the metal industry for polishing and smoothing surfaces. Its hardness and high brittleness make it effective in removing oxide layers and surface defects.
Glass Polishing: Its hardness and chemical stability make it an excellent material for polishing glass without causing chemical reactions or unwanted scratches.
Wood Finishing: Due to its wide variety of particle sizes, white aluminum oxide can be used to create a smooth finish on wooden surfaces.
Polishing Dental Restorations: In the healthcare sector, especially dentistry, it is used to polish dental prostheses and orthodontic appliances.
Electronic Manufacturing: Its non-magnetic properties make it suitable for polishing electronic components, improving their performance and lifespan.
Gem Polishing: The gem and jewelry industry also uses white aluminum oxide for precise polishing of gemstones due to its hardness and the range of grit sizes available.
Remember that the grit size selected depends on the specific polishing application. Smaller grit sizes are typically used for fine, precision polishing, while larger grit sizes are suitable for aggressive material removal.
White Aluminum Oxide for Sandblasting
White aluminum oxide is an excellent material for sandblasting because it is hard, brittle, and breaks into sharp, angular particles. This makes it a top choice for industries that require aggressive cleaning and surface preparation.
Surface Cleaning: Its hardness allows it to effectively remove rust, paint, or mill scale from steel surfaces. It leaves the surface clean, smooth, and ready for further processing such as coating or painting.
Etching: White aluminum oxide is used for etching glass and metals because of its abrasive properties. It creates a detailed, uniform pattern on the surface.
Deburring: It is used to deburr or remove unwanted edges and ridges on metal parts during the manufacturing process.
Preparation for Paint and Coating: Sandblasting with white aluminum oxide can create a perfect surface profile for optimal adhesion of paint or coating.
Shot Peening: It is used in the aerospace, automotive industry for shot peening to improve the fatigue life of metal parts.
Keep in mind that the grit size selection for sandblasting depends on the specific application. Larger grit sizes are generally used for aggressive material removal, while smaller grit sizes can be used for delicate tasks such as etching. Because white aluminum oxide is abrasive, always follow safety procedures when blasting with white aluminum oxide.
