Aluminium powder

Aluminium pigment powder

Aluminium powder is powdered aluminium.

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 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.[1] Aluminium powder features low density with high conductivity.[2]

Characteristics

Powdered aluminium shares many of the physical characteristics of bulk aluminium such as its molecular weight of 26.981538 g mol^-1 [3], melting point of 660 °C [4], and a boiling point of 2460 °C [5].

Usage

• autoclave aerated concrete
• cosmetic colourant
• fingerprint powder[6]
• metallic paint
• pyrotechnics (including the M-80 firecracker)
• refractory
• rocket and missile fuel such as the solid rocket boosters of the Space Shuttle[7]
• thermite
• Electrically conductive filler material for EMI shielding applications.[8]

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

Safety

Aluminium is insoluble. Although aluminium is unlikely to be adsorbed into the blood stream, its inhalation can cause severe irritation and hinder the ventilation mechanism[9]. High levels of exposure over many years may result in aluminosis which causes pulmonary fibrosis.[10]

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.[11]

See also

• Metal powder
• Technology portal

References

1. Joseph R. Davies (1993), "Powder Metallurgy Processing", Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys, ASM International, p. 275, ISBN 9780871704962
2. Gromov, A.A.; Nalivaiko, A.Yu (2019). "Chapter 5 - Aluminum Powders for Energetics: Properties and Oxidation Behavior". In Yan, Qi-Long (ed.). Nanomaterials in Rocket Propulsion Systems. Elsevier. pp. 151–173. ISBN 9780128139080.
3. PubChem. "Aluminum". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
4. Friedman, Raymond (1998). Principles of Fire Protection Chemistry and Physics. Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN 978-0-87765-440-7.
5. Sigma-Aldrich Safety Data Sheet
6. Champod, Christophe; Lennard, Chris J.; Margot, Pierre; Stoilovic, Milutin (2004-04-27). Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions. CRC Press. ISBN 9780203485040.
7. Space Shuttle Basics –Solid Rocket Boosters, NASA, archived from the original on 2000-10-02
8. "Silver-coated Aluminum Powder". Stanford Powders. Retrieved Aug 29, 2024.
9. "Aluminum | Toxic Substances | Toxic Substance Portal | ATSDR". wwwn.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
10. "Aluminium, Dusts containing aluminium as metal, aluminium oxide and aluminium hydroxide", MAK Value Documentation, 2007, doi:10.1002/3527600418.mb742990vere4313
11. Urben, Peter (2013-10-22), Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards, Elsevier, p. 22, ISBN 978-0-08-052340-8