ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE

 

Aluminium Hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) is a white, odorless, and non-toxic chemical compound.
It is commonly known in industry as ATH (Alumina Trihydrate).

 It is mainly derived from the mineral bauxite.


 Key Properties

  • Appearance: White powder

  • Nature: Non-toxic and chemically stable

  • Solubility: Almost insoluble in water

  • Thermal Behavior: Releases water when heated

  • pH: Slightly basic


 Special Feature – Flame Retardant

One of the most important uses of aluminium hydroxide is as a flame retardant filler.

 When exposed to heat:

  • It releases water (H₂O)

  • Reduces temperature

  • Slows down fire spread

 This makes it ideal for plastics, rubber, and cable applications


 Major Uses

  1. Plastics & Rubber Industry

    • Flame retardant filler

    • Smoke suppression

  2. Paints & Coatings

    • Fire-resistant coatings

    • Improves surface finish

  3. Paper Industry

    • Coating and filler material

    • Enhances brightness and smoothness

  4. Water Treatment

    • Helps remove impurities

  5. Pharmaceuticals

    • Used as an antacid (for acidity relief)


 Chemical Reaction (On Heating)

[
2Al(OH)₃ → Al₂O₃ + 3H₂O
]

 Water release helps in fire control


Advantages

 Non-toxic and eco-friendly
 Cost-effective
 Excellent flame retardant
 Reduces smoke generation


 Limitations

 Decomposes above ~200°C
Requires high loading (40–60%) in materials


 Simple Summary

 Aluminium Hydroxide is a widely used industrial chemical
 Its main role is as a flame retardant and filler
 Safe, economical, and versatile material

In an industrial context, polymer suppliers provide the raw polymer materials (like polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PVC, PET, etc.) that manufacturers use as the foundational input to make products. These suppliers often also offer additives, masterbatches, chemical compounds, and sometimes technical services.

Basic Process (Simple Flow)

    1. Bauxite + NaOH → Sodium Aluminate Solution

    2. Cooling + Seeding → Aluminium Hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) precipitates

    3. Filtering & Drying → Final ATH product