IUPAC Name
Aluminium Trifluoride
Cas Number
7784-18-1
HS Code
28261200
Formula
AlF3
Industry
-
Appearance
White Crystalline Powder
Common Names
Aluminium Trifluoride
Packaging
800 @ 25 kg Plastic Woven Bags, 20 MT / 20FCL
Aluminum fluoride (AlF3) is an inorganic compound used primarily in the production of aluminum. This colorless solid can be prepared synthetically but also occurs in nature. This substance is an odorless white crystalline powder and stable under ordinary conditions.
There are three main processes to manufacture aluminium fluoride:
Aluminum fluoride is an important additive for the production of aluminum by electrolysis. Together with cryolite lowers the melting point to below 1000 °C and increases the conductivity of the solution. It is into this molten salt that aluminum oxide is dissolved and then electrolyzed to give bulk Al metal.
Aluminium fluoride plays a great role in ceramic production as it is the main chemical compound used in glazes for finished products. Besides that, aluminium fluoride is also used to create refractory ceramic products. In glass industry, aluminium fluoride is used as a filler.
Together with zirconium fluoride, aluminum fluoride is an ingredient to produce fluoroaluminate glasses. Furthermore, it is used to inhibit fermentation and serves as a sputtering target for the preparation of low index films. Fluoride compounds are used in coatings for the UV to middle-IR regions. They provide the lowest refractive indices and therefore are essential components of anti-reflective coatings.