Aluminium powder is powdered

aluminium Aluminium (aluminum in AmE, American and CanE, Canadian English) is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately o ...

. This was originally produced by mechanical means using a stamp mill to create flakes. Subsequently, a process of spraying molten aluminium to create a powder of droplets was developed by

E. J. Hall The Metals Disintegrating Company manufactured metal powders such as aluminum powder. It was founded in 1916 by Everett Joel Hall (1879–1931), a professor of assaying at Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, a ...

in the 1920s. The resulting powder might then be processed further in a ball mill to flatten it into flakes for use as a coating or pigment.

Characteristics

The melting point of aluminium powder is 660 °C.

Usage

autoclave An autoclave is a machine used to carry out industrial and scientific processes requiring elevated temperature and pressure in relation to ambient pressure and/or temperature. Autoclaves are used before surgical procedures to perform steriliza ...

aerated concrete * cosmetic colourant * fingerprint powder * metallic paint *

pyrotechnics Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating such things as fireworks, safety matches, oxygen candles, Pyrotechnic fastener, explosive bolts and other fasteners, parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, quarry ...

(including the M-80 firecracker) *

refractory In materials science, a refractory material or refractory is a material that is resistant to decomposition by heat, pressure, or chemical attack, and retains strength and form at high temperatures. Refractories are polycrystalline, polyphase ...

* rocket and missile fuel such as the

solid rocket booster A solid rocket booster (SRB) is a large solid propellant motor used to provide thrust in spacecraft launches from initial launch through the first ascent. Many launch vehicles, including the Atlas V, SLS and space shuttle, have used SRBs to giv ...

s of the

Space Shuttle The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program na ...

thermite Thermite () is a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder and metal oxide. When ignited by heat or chemical reaction, thermite undergoes an exothermic reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction. Most varieties are not explosive, but can create br ...

Depending on the usage, the powder is either coated or uncoated.

Safety

Aluminium is insoluble. If the powder or dust is breathed in then little of it will be absorbed but it may interfere with the clearance mechanism of the lung. High levels of exposure over many years may result in aluminosis which causes pulmonary fibrosis. Aluminium powder and dust is highly flammable and creates a significant risk of fire or explosion. There have been many incidents in industries which produce such dusts and powders.

References

External links

* https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0988.html Aluminium Aluminum objects Powders {{engineering-stub

Characteristics

Usage

Safety

See also

References

External links