AF-0,F61% Min AF-1,F60% Min AF-2,F58% Min AF-3,F58% Min Aluminum Fluoride CAS 7784-18-1

What is aluminum fluoride?

Aluminum fluoride, also known as aluminum trifluoride, is an inorganic fluoride salt produced by reacting aluminum hydroxide (or metallic aluminum) with hydrogen fluoride. Its chemical formula is usually written as:

AlF3 (CAS No.: 7784-18-1, molecular weight approximately 83.98)

It is a white powder or colorless crystal at room temperature, with a density of approximately 2.88~3.0 g/cm³, a melting point of approximately 1291℃, and a sublimation point of approximately 1272℃. Aluminum fluoride is slightly soluble in cold water, soluble in hot water, slightly soluble in acids and alkalis, and has relatively stable chemical properties.

Compositionally, aluminum fluoride consists of one aluminum ion (Al3+) and three fluoride ions (F-), with crystals formed by twisted aluminum hexafluoride (AlF6) octahedrons. The strong fluxing effect of fluoride ions on silicate systems makes it not only an electrolyte component in the aluminum electrolysis industry but also a classic fluxing agent for lowering firing temperatures in high-temperature processes such as ceramics and glassmaking. This is the structural basis for its application in scientific research and arts and crafts.

Chemically, aluminum fluoride is stable, but it decomposes under high temperature and humidity, producing toxic and corrosive fumes containing hydrogen fluoride; therefore, safety precautions must be taken. It may react with strong acids and alkalis. Store in a dry, sealed container.

Non-industrial grade aluminium fluoride products for non-mass industrial applications such as scientific research, arts and crafts, mainly comprising reagent-grade specifications. The following indicators are more important for non-industrial grade aluminium fluoride than for industrial-grade products:

Purity and Impurity Control

The main content of reagent-grade reagents is generally over 98%, and the impurities such as iron, silicon and sodium should be strictly controlled to ensure the quality of experimental and process applications.

Moisture

Aluminium fluoride is very sensitive to moisture content which affects the stability and high-temperature processing performance of aluminium fluoride and should be maintained at a low level.

Particle size and uniformity of size

Uniformity of particle size is required to ensure repeatability of weighing, mixing and glaze preparation.

What are the uses of aluminum fluoride?

1. Scientific research and laboratory applications (reagent grade)

Aluminum fluoride is a commonly used reagent in fluorine chemistry and inorganic chemistry research. It can be used in studies of molten salt electrolytes, aluminum electrolysis mechanisms, fluoride materials, etc. It can also be used as a reagent for the determination of fluoride ions in analytical chemistry. It is a routine inorganic reagent in scientific research laboratories.

2. Ceramic Art and Craft Glazes

In the field of ceramic art and crafts, aluminum fluoride is used as a flux and opaque agent in glazes to help lower firing temperatures and improve the texture and whiteness of glazes. It is applied to the formulation development of art ceramics, crafts and handmade glazes.

3. Glass craftsmanship and art glass

Aluminum fluoride can be used as a glass flux and opacifier, applied in the production of art glass and glass crafts, helping to lower the melting temperature and obtain special textures and optical effects.

4. Molten Salt and Materials Science Research (Research Level)

Aluminium fluoride is an important raw material for the scientific study of molten salt electrolyte and fluoride functional materials. High-purity aluminium fluoride is being used by research institutions for the development of new fluoride materials and electrolyte systems.

5. Teaching and Popular Science Experiments

Aluminium fluoride can be incorporated in chemical teaching demonstrations and popular science experiments to facilitate students' understanding of the properties and reactions of fluoride salts. It is a common teaching reagent in middle school and university chemistry laboratories.

6. Electrolyte Components for Electrolytic Aluminum

Aluminium fluoride is the main component of the electrolyte in the cryolite-alumina molten salt electrolysis system. It accounts for roughly 90% of the fluoride salts used in the electrolysis of aluminium . As an electrolyte additive, it can lower the initial crystallisation temperature and electrolysis temperature of electrolyte, adjust the electrolyte molecular ratio, improve the conductivity and reduce the electrolyte volatilisation loss. It is one of the most important and widely used auxiliary materials in aluminium electrolysis production, which directly affects current efficiency and quality of aluminium ingot.

7. Non-ferrous metal fluxes and welding

Aluminium fluoride can be used as a flux in the smelting of non-ferrous metals, as a fluxing component in brazing and welding. It helps in removing oxides and improves the wettability of metal surface. It is used in metal processing and casting industries.

8. Abrasive Industry

Aluminium fluoride is used as a wear-resistant additive in abrasive products to enhance the wear resistance, cutting force and service life of grind wheels and other abrasive tools.

9. Other Applications

With the development of materials science research, the application scope of non-industrial grade aluminium fluoride is continuously expanding, such as custom synthesis, standard reagent supply and analytical chemistry applications.

Summarize

Aluminium fluoride (aluminium trifluoride) is a white crystalline powder of inorganic fluoride. It is stable and it is used as both an electrolyte component in the aluminium electrolysis industry and as a classic flux in high temperature silicate processes. In everyday life it is encountered indirectly in aluminium products, ceramic enamels, glass, abrasives, building materials, and welded metal products. Non-industrial uses for reagent grade aluminium fluoride are numerous and include scientific research and laboratories, ceramic art glazes, glass crafts, molten salt and materials science research, and educational experiments. It is a major inorganic fluoride chemical linking 'daily use' and 'scientific research and arts and crafts'.