Aluminium oxide

Aluminium oxide

Names
IUPAC name dialuminum;oxygen(2-)
Systematic IUPAC name A
Properties
Chemical formula	Al2<sub/>O3<sub/>
Appearance	white solid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Aluminium oxide is chemical compound of aluminum and oxygen with chemical formula Al_{2<sub/>O3<sub/>, its most common of several aluminium oxides. Aluminium oxide occurs naturally in it's crystalline alpha phase as mineral corundum.}

Properties

Physical

Aluminium oxide is very hard solid (9 Mohs scale). It's electrical insulator.

Availability

Aluminium oxide is often present in sandpapers, you can also buy it from mineral collectors as corrundum or gemstones like ruby or saphire.

Preparation

Aluminium oxide is a product of thermite reaction: M_{2<sub/>O3<sub/> + 2Al right arrow Al2<sub/>O3<sub/> + 2M}

References

===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===