Dried aluminium hydroxide
Aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)3, also known as hydrated alumina or ATH is a compound in the form of white powder. The most common application worldwide is to convert it to Al2O3 (aluminium oxide or alumina) which is used in the manufacture of aluminium.
The major other uses of aluminium hydroxide is as a feedstock for the manufacture of other aluminium compounds: specialty calcined aluminas, aluminium sulfate, polyaluminium chloride, aluminium chloride, zeolites, sodium aluminate, activated alumina, aluminium nitrate.
The high quality dried aluminium hydroxide we offer under the brand "Aluhydrate" has a typical moisture content of 0,04%.
Aluminium hydroxide also finds use as a halogen-free fire retardant filler for polymer applications. It decomposes at about 180 °C (356 °F), absorbing a considerable amount of heat in the process and giving off water vapour. In addition to behaving as a fire retardant, it is very effective as a smoke suppressant in a wide range of polymers, most especially in polyesters, acrylics, ethylene vinyl acetate, epoxies, PVC and rubber.
Aluminium hydroxide powder which has been heated to an elevated temperature under carefully controlled conditions is known as activated alumina and is used as a desiccant, as an adsorbent in gas purification, as a Claus catalyst support for water purification, and as an adsorbent for the catalyst during the manufacture of polyethylene using the Sclairtech process.
Aluminium hydroxide is also used as a mordant in dyeing. The colour of the final product depends on the combination of dye and mordant used in the process.
Additional uses of aluminium hydroxide include the manufacture of aluminosilicate glass, a high melting point glass used in cooking utensils, the waterproofing of fabrics, and the production of fire clay, paper, pottery, and printing inks.
The ability of aluminium hydroxide to adsorb substances on its surface provides an explanation for a number of its other applications. It is used in a number of chemical operations, for example, as a filtering medium and in ion-exchange and chromatography devices.
Aluminium hydroxide is amphoteric. It dissolves in acid, forming [Al(H2O)6]3+ (hexaaquaaluminium) or its hydrolysis products. It also dissolves in strong alkali, forming [Al(OH)4]− (tetrahydroxidoaluminate).
Technical specification and MSDS are available upon request.