Aluminium dichromate is used to make aluminium alloys more resistant to corrosion.
Aluminium dichromate is a chemical compound that is mostly used for industrial applications. It is manufactured as dry granules that dissolve easily in water, releasing aluminium and chromium ions in the process. The solution is used to coat aluminium alloys and provides protection against corrosion. Aluminium dichromate also has uses in painting and electronics. It is also used in pyrotechnics and as an ingredient in making model volcanoes for science projects. As a chemical compound, it is used by chemists and in chemistry labs and for educational experiments.
Chemistry
The chemical formula of aluminium dichromate is Al2Cr6O21. It has a molecular weight of 701.927076 and a fairly complex molecular structure. It consists of aluminium, chromium and oxygen atoms. It releases chromate ions in solution, which are used in metal coatings and electrolysis.
Coatings
Aluminium dichromate is used in the chromate coating process for aluminium alloys. This process is also known as "chromating" or "chromate conversion coating." The process involves a chemical reaction in which the aluminium dichromate is dissolved in water or another solvent. Aluminium or an alloy is submerged in the solution and chromium ions deposit on the metal's surface, creating a coating or film. This makes the metal resistant to corrosion.
Painting
A metal that has been coated with through an aluminium dichromate conversion coating process has a surface to which paint can more easily adhere. The chromate coatings are used in military applications and are required to be of a sufficiently high quality to meet certain military specifications. The film coatings are resistant to abrasion and stable over time.
Considerations
Aluminium dichromate is used in the manufacture of flat panel emission display (FED) units, where it is combined with phosphors and polyvinyl alcohol and used to maintain vacuum levels in the unit. Chromates are also often used in pyrotechnics and in science fair projects because of their highly reactive natures. Aluminium dichromate produces chromate ions, which provide increased resistance to heat and good conductivity when used as coatings in electronic applications.
Tags: aluminium alloys, Aluminium dichromate, Aluminium dichromate used, coating process, dichromate used, aluminium chromium