Aluminum Company of America

Alcoa Inc.

John E Marhanka

Alan Pearson

Edward S Martin

Steven W Sucech

Mark L Weaver

Michael A Easley

Thomas L Francis

Raymond P Heilich

Dinesh Moorjani

Masaki Madono

Low temperature mineralization of alumina

A method for the production of aluminum hydroxide, including reacting water in the liquid phase and aluminum at a pH above about 12.4. In this pH range, aluminum hydroxide is produced at acceptable rates both for aluminum surface areas above 75,000 mm.sup.2 /g and for aluminum surface area of less than about 50,000 mm.sup.2 per gram, and even down to 20 mm.sup.2 per gram. According to an alternative view of the invention, it is characterized by the production of aluminum hydroxide by reacting aluminum with liquid water containing choline. Aluminum hydroxide particles having unique morphologies are obtained.

Aluminum hydroxide production

Small sized alpha alumina particles and platelets

A lightweight, porous, ceramic material is made by mixing a slurry containing a foaming agent until a constant volume of foam is achieved. The foam is then pumped or poured into a mold or form where it sets up into a cellular structure. The formed foam is then cured, dried and heated at elevated temperatures. The slurry used in making the foam is made from ceramic particles, water, foaming agent and bonding materials. The bonding materials function to provide an initial bond as the foam is generated to prevent foam collapse, a low temperature bond after the foam structure is set, cured and dried, and a final bond after heating to elevated temperatures. In a preferred embodiment, the ceramic particles used are alumina.

Noncollapsible ceramic foam

Growing community of inventors

Benton, AR, United States of America

John E Marhanka