Corundum

HCID 14769CAS 12174-49-1

Basic information

Standard SMILES
[O]=[Al][O][Al]=[O]
InChIKey
TWNQGVIAIRXVLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molecular formula
Al2O3
Average molar mass
101.961 g/mol

Overview

Corundum is a mineral with formula of Al2O3. The IMA symbol is Crn.

Names & identifiers

Preferred name
Corundum
IUPAC
oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane
English name
Aluminum oxide
Molecular formula
Al2O3
Molecular weight
101.96

Names & synonyms

Corundum1302-74-5ElectrocorundumKorundMP 1 (Refractory)Dural F 30CorindonSaphirRubisRefChem:579256Emeryoxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane
Show more names
ALUMINAALUMINIUM OXIDESAPPHIREAluminiumoxidALUMINIUM OXIDE BASICALUMINIUM OXIDE NEUTRALRUBYALUNDUMBOILING CHIPSGAMMA-ALUMINA
Sapphire (Al2O3)Corundum (Al2O3)12415-34-8Aluminum oxide, alphaalpha-CorundumAluminium Oxide; AluminaAbramant F 36Abramax F 46

Database identifiers

CAS
12174-49-1、12415-34-8、1302-74-5、1317-82-4、12415-34-8; 1302-74-5
PubChem CID
14769
EC Number
603-397-4、638-887-7

Properties

Computed structural properties

Topological polar surface area
43.4 Ų
Hydrogen bond donors
0
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3
Rotatable bonds
0
Heavy atoms
5

Experimental & physicochemical properties

Chemical ClassesMineral Dusts -> Other Mineral Dusts
Boiling Pointdecomposes
Vapor Pressure0 mmHg (approx)
Physical Description · 4 items

Dry Powder; Large Crystals

Odorless, white, crystalline powder; [Note: Emery is an impure variety of Al2O3 which may contain small impurities of iron, magnesium & silica. Corundum is natural Al2O3. See also CAS #1302-74-5 (corundum)]

Odorless, white, crystalline powder.

Odorless, white, crystalline powder.

Physicochemical properties

Melting point
2040 °C · 2040 °C(lit.)
Boiling point
2980 ℃ · 2980℃ [CRC10]
Density
1.06 g/mL · 1.06 g/mL at 25 °C
bulk density
500 · 500-900kg/m3
refractive index
1.771 · 1.771
storage temp.
no temp limit

Safety & regulation

GHS classification

GHS Classification · 5 items

Not Classified

Not Classified

Danger

H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P337+P317, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Hazard information

Regulatory Information · 1 item

Sapphire (Al2O3) is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Sapphire (Al2O3) are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Hazards SummaryEmery containing no asbestos and < 1% crystalline silica is not known to be toxic when exposures are kept under reasonable control. [ACGIH]
Hazard Classes and Categories · 3 items

Not Classified

Not Classified

Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2A-2B

Safety & protection

First Aid(General first aid procedures)
Exposure Control and Personal Protection0.3 [mg/m3] (respirable fraction), (multiplied with the material density)[German Research Foundation (DFG)]
Minimum Risk Level · 2 items

Intermediate Oral: 1.0 mg/kg/day (L134) Chronic Oral: 1.0 mg/kg/day (L134)

Intermediate Oral: 1.0 mg/kg/day (L134) Chronic Oral: 1.0 mg/kg/day (L134)

Respirator RecommendationsImportant additional information about respirator selection
Threshold Limit Values (TLV)Withdrawn [2008]
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) · 3 items

15.0 [mg/m3](total dust), 5 mg/m3(respirable fraction)

15 mg/m³ (total dust), 5 mg/m³ (respirable fraction)

TWA 15 mg/m3 (total) TWA 5 mg/m3 (resp) See Appendix G

Toxicology

Treatment · 2 items

EYES: irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water (never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person). Seek immediate medical advice. SKIN: should be treated immediately by rinsing the affected parts in cold running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. If necessary, the person should shower and change contaminated clothing and shoes, and then must seek medical attention. INHALATION: supply fresh air. If required provide artificial respiration.

EYES: irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water (never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person). Seek immediate medical advice. SKIN: should be treated immediately by rinsing the affected parts in cold running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. If necessary, the person should shower and change contaminated clothing and shoes, and then must seek medical attention. INHALATION: supply fresh air. If required provide artificial respiration.

Target OrgansEyes, skin, respiratory system
Health Effects · 2 items

Aluminum targets the nervous system and causes decreased nervous system performance and is associated with altered function of the blood-brain barrier. The accumulation of aluminum in the body may cause bone or brain diseases. High levels of aluminum have been linked to Alzheimer's disease. A small percentage of people are allergic to aluminium and experience contact dermatitis, digestive disorders, vomiting or other symptoms upon contact or ingestion of products containing aluminium. (L739, L740)

Aluminum targets the nervous system and causes decreased nervous system performance and is associated with altered function of the blood-brain barrier. The accumulation of aluminum in the body may cause bone or brain diseases. High levels of aluminum have been linked to Alzheimer's disease. A small percentage of people are allergic to aluminium and experience contact dermatitis, digestive disorders, vomiting or other symptoms upon contact or ingestion of products containing aluminium. (L739, L740)

Exposure Routes · 3 items

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Oral (L739) ; inhalation (L739)

Oral (L739) ; inhalation (L739)

Toxicity Summary · 2 items

The main target organs of aluminum are the central nervous system and bone. Aluminum binds with dietary phosphorus and impairs gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorus. The decreased phosphate body burden results in osteomalacia (softening of the bones due to defective bone mineralization) and rickets. Aluminum's neurotoxicity is believed to involve several mechanisms. Changes in cytoskeletal protein functions as a results of altered phosphorylation, proteolysis, transport, and synthesis are believed to be one cause. Aluminum may induce neurobehavioral effects by affecting permeability of the blood-brain barrier, cholinergic activity, signal transduction pathways, lipid peroxidation, and impair neuronal glutamate nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway, as well as interfere with metabolism of essential trace elements because of similar coordination chemistries and consequent competitive interactions. It has been suggested that aluminum's interaction with estrogen receptors increases the expression of estrogen-related genes and thereby contributes to the progression of breast cancer (A235), but studies have not been able to establish a clear link between aluminum and increased risk of breast cancer (A15468). Certain aluminum salts induce immune responses by activating inflammasomes. (L739, A235, A236)

The main target organs of aluminum are the central nervous system and bone. Aluminum binds with dietary phosphorus and impairs gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorus. The decreased phosphate body burden results in osteomalacia (softening of the bones due to defective bone mineralization) and rickets. Aluminum's neurotoxicity is believed to involve several mechanisms. Changes in cytoskeletal protein functions as a results of altered phosphorylation, proteolysis, transport, and synthesis are believed to be one cause. Aluminum may induce neurobehavioral effects by affecting permeability of the blood-brain barrier, cholinergic activity, signal transduction pathways, lipid peroxidation, and impair neuronal glutamate nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway, as well as interfere with metabolism of essential trace elements because of similar coordination chemistries and consequent competitive interactions. It has been suggested that aluminum's interaction with estrogen receptors increases the expression of estrogen-related genes and thereby contributes to the progression of breast cancer (A235), but studies have not been able to establish a clear link between aluminum and increased risk of breast cancer (A15468). Certain aluminum salts induce immune responses by activating inflammasomes. (L739, A235, A236)

Signs and Symptoms · 3 items

irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system

Inhalating aluminum dust causes coughing and abnormal chest X-rays. A small percentage of people are allergic to aluminium and experience contact dermatitis, digestive disorders, vomiting or other symptoms upon contact or ingestion of products containing aluminium. (L739, L740)

Inhalating aluminum dust causes coughing and abnormal chest X-rays. A small percentage of people are allergic to aluminium and experience contact dermatitis, digestive disorders, vomiting or other symptoms upon contact or ingestion of products containing aluminium. (L739, L740)

Safety data

F
3
wgk
-
tsca
Yes
rtecs
BD1200000
ridadr
UN1993
risk_code
36/37/38

Chemistry & industry

Pharmacology

Metabolism/Metabolites · 2 items

Aluminum is poorly absorbed following either oral or inhalation exposure and is essentially not absorbed dermally. The bioavailability of aluminum is strongly influenced by the aluminum compound and the presence of dietary constituents which can complex with aluminum and enhance or inhibit its absorption. Aluminum binds to various ligands in the blood and distributes to every organ, with highest concentrations found in bone and lung tissues. In living organisms, aluminum is believed to exist in four different forms: as free ions, as low-molecular-weight complexes, as physically bound macromolecular complexes, and as covalently bound macromolecular complexes. Absorbed aluminum is excreted principally in the urine and, to a lesser extent, in the bile, while unabsorbed aluminum is excreted in the faeces. (L739)

Aluminum is poorly absorbed following either oral or inhalation exposure and is essentially not absorbed dermally. The bioavailability of aluminum is strongly influenced by the aluminum compound and the presence of dietary constituents which can complex with aluminum and enhance or inhibit its absorption. Aluminum binds to various ligands in the blood and distributes to every organ, with highest concentrations found in bone and lung tissues. In living organisms, aluminum is believed to exist in four different forms: as free ions, as low-molecular-weight complexes, as physically bound macromolecular complexes, and as covalently bound macromolecular complexes. Absorbed aluminum is excreted principally in the urine and, to a lesser extent, in the bile, while unabsorbed aluminum is excreted in the faeces. (L739)

Uses & manufacturing

Uses · 3 items

Emery is an impure form of corundum (aluminum oxide). Emery is used in abrasive emery cloth, wheels, and belts. Fine emory is used in lens grinding and lapidary work. [ACGIH] Emery is an impure variety of Al2O3 which may contain small impurities of iron, magnesium, and silica. Corundum is natural Al2O3. [NIOSH]

Abrasive Blasting [Category: Clean]

Aluminium oxide's most significant use is in the production of aluminium metal, although it is also used as an abrasive due to its hardness and as a refractory material due to its high melting point. (L758)

U.S. Production2023: 18,000,000 lb
Consumer UsesOther
Industry UsesIntermediate
General Manufacturing Information · 2 items

Construction

Sapphire (Al2O3): ACTIVE

Applications

UsesDepending on the formulator’s needs, aluminum oxide can be used as an abrasive, or for its absorbent, anti-caking, bulking, opacifying, or viscosity-controlling properties.

Upstream & downstream products

Suppliers6 total

Additional notes · 1 item

DefinitionA white powder that is almost insoluble in water. Because of its amphoteric nature it will react with both acids and alkalis. Aluminum oxide occurs naturally as bauxite, corundum, and white sapphire; it is manufactured by heating aluminum hydroxide. It is used in the extraction by electrolysis of aluminum, as an abrasive (corundum), in furnace linings (because of its refractory properties), and as a catalyst (e.g. in the dehydration of alcohols).

Related reactions

4 records

Linked notes

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