Aluminium 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]

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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].

• 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.

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]

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