Overview of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

Aluminum carbide is an inorganic compound. The aluminum carbide formula is Al4C3. Yellow or green-gray crystal block or powder, hygroscopic. It decomposes at high temperatures into methane and aluminum hydroxide in cold water. Al4C3 has a hexagonal crystal structure.

Aluminum carbide with the chemical formula Al4C3 is a carbide of aluminum. It has the appearance of light yellow to brown crystals. Stable at temperatures up to 1400°C. It decomposes in water to produce methane.

Aluminum carbide has an unusual crystal structure composed of alternating Al2C and Al2C2 layers. Each aluminum atom is coordinated into four carbon atoms to form a tetrahedral arrangement. Carbon atoms exist in two different binding environments. One is a deformed octahedron with 6 Al atoms at 217 pm. The other is a twisted triangular bipyramid structure with 4 Al atoms at 190-194 pm and a fifth Al atom at 221 pm.

A small amount of aluminum carbide is a common impurity in industrial calcium carbide. In the electrolytic manufacture of aluminum, aluminum carbide is formed as a corrosion product of graphite electrodes.

In metal matrix composites based on an aluminum matrix reinforced with non-metal carbides (silicon carbide, boron carbide, etc.) or carbon fibers, aluminum carbide is usually formed as an undesirable product. Carbon fiber will react with the aluminum matrix at a temperature higher than 500°C; better fiber wettability and chemical reaction inhibition can be achieved by coating the fiber with calcium carbonate, for example.

Aluminum carbide is usually available immediately in most quantities. Carbides are compounds in which the anion is one or more carbon atoms. Although not all, most metals form carbides; indium and gallium do not. Like diamonds (a pure carbon substance), carbides are very hard, fire-resistant, and resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and heat resistance, making them excellent candidates for coatings on drill bits and other tools. They usually combine toughness with other valuable properties such as electrical conductivity, low thermal expansion, and wear resistance.

Production Method of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

Aluminum carbide is prepared by the direct reaction of aluminum and carbon in an electric arc furnace.

4 Al + 3 C→Al4C3

The other reaction starts with alumina, but it is not very advantageous due to carbon monoxide production.

2 Al2O3 + 9 C→Al4C3 + 6 CO

Silicon carbide also reacts with aluminum to form Al4C3. This conversion limits the mechanical applications of SiC because Al4C3 is more brittle than SiC.

4 Al + 3 SiC→Al4C3 + 3 Si

In aluminum matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide, the chemical reaction between silicon carbide and molten aluminum creates a layer of aluminum carbide on the silicon carbide particles, reducing the material’s strength. However, it increases the wettability of the SiC particles. This tendency can be reduced by coating silicon carbide particles with a suitable oxide or nitride, pre-oxidizing the particles to form a silicon dioxide coating, or using a sacrificial metal layer.

Aluminum-aluminum carbide composite materials can be made by mechanical alloying and mixing aluminum powder and graphite particles.

Technical Parameter of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

Code	Chemical Composition
	Content		≤
	Al	C	Si	P	S	Fe	Mg
Al4C3	79-81	19-21	0.20	0.03	0.03	0.20	0.5
Particle Size	-60 mesh, -325 mesh or as customers’ requirment

Application of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

High-temperature structural materials field
Aluminum carbide powder has the characteristics of high strength, high hardness, and good high-temperature stability, which makes it one of the best choices for manufacturing high-temperature structural materials. In aerospace, automotive, petrochemical, and other fields, aluminum carbide powder can manufacture high-temperature and structural parts to improve their high-temperature strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. In addition, aluminum carbide powder can also be mixed with other materials such as titanium, zirconium, and other metal powders to manufacture cermet composite materials to further improve the comprehensive performance of the material.
Wear-resistant coating field
Aluminum carbide powder has the characteristics of high hardness, high wear resistance, and good high-temperature performance and can be used as a wear-resistant coating material. In power, chemical, mining, and other fields, aluminum carbide powder can be used as coating material on the surface of equipment to improve wear resistance and reliability. In addition, aluminum carbide powder can be used as a ceramic coating material to improve the equipment’s high temperature and corrosion resistance.
High-temperature superconducting materials field
Aluminum carbide powder can be used as one of the raw materials of high-temperature superconducting materials, and other superconducting materials, such as YBaCuO, Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, etc., can be used to prepare superconducting materials with better properties. In addition, aluminum carbide powder can be used as the base material of superconducting materials to improve mechanical strength and stability.
Electronic packaging field
Aluminum carbide powder has high thermal conductivity and good electrical insulation properties, making it one of the best materials in electronic packaging. In electronic packaging, aluminum carbide powder can be used to manufacture electronic packaging substrates, chip packaging materials, etc., to improve the stability and reliability of electronic equipment. In addition, aluminum carbide powder can also be used as a raw material for electronic paste and conductive adhesive, improving electronic device manufacturing efficiency and reliability.
Biomedical field
Aluminum carbide powder has biocompatibility characteristics and good biological activity, so it has a wide application prospect in the biomedical field. In the biomedical field, aluminum carbide powder can manufacture biological materials and drug carriers to promote the healing and repair of human tissues. In addition, aluminum carbide powder can also be used for drug preparation and delivery to achieve slow and controlled drug release.
Catalyst field
Aluminum carbide powder has a high specific surface area and good chemical activity and can be used as catalyst material. In the chemical industry, aluminum carbide powder can be used as a catalyst carrier and catalyst component to prepare high-value-added chemicals and organic compounds. In addition, aluminum carbide powder can be used in environmental governance energy conversion and other fields, such as for preparing photocatalysts and electrocatalysts.

Company Profile

My Carbides is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality carbides and relatives products.

The company has a professional technical department and Quality Supervision Department, a well-equipped laboratory, and equipped with advanced testing equipment and after-sales customer service center.If you are looking for high-quality Carbides, please feel free to contact us or click on the needed products to send an inquiry.

Storage Condition of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder dispersion performance and using effects, therefore, Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 should be sealed in vacuum packing and stored in cool and dry room, the titanium tin carbide can not be exposure to air. In addition, Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 should be avoided under stress.

Payment Methods of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

L/C, T/T, Western Union, Paypal, Credit Card etc.

Shipment of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

It could be shipped by sea, by air, or by reveal ASAP as soon as repayment receipt.

Package of Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder

Vacuum packing, 100g, 500g or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request.

FAQ

Q1: Is aluminum carbide safe?
Answer: Aluminum carbide is a flammable and explosive substance, so safety regulations need to be strictly followed during production and use, prevent fire sources and high temperatures, and ensure good ventilation.

Q2: What are the similarities in safety between aluminum carbide and calcium carbide?
Answer: Aluminum carbide and calcium carbide are both flammable and explosive substances. According to the provisions of the National Production Safety Law, they are dangerous goods requiring special management.

Q3: What are the applications of aluminum carbide in the aerospace field?
Answer: In the aerospace field, aluminum carbide is mainly used to manufacture high-temperature structural parts because of its excellent high-temperature resistance.

Q4: What are the applications of aluminum carbide in the electronic field?
Answer: In the field of electronics, aluminum carbide can be used as a tool or material for processing semiconductor materials, thanks to its high hardness and good chemical stability.

Q5: What are the advantages of aluminum carbide compared with other similar compounds?
Answer: Aluminum carbide has unique physical and chemical properties, such as high melting point, high hardness, and good catalytic properties, which may make it advantageous in certain applications.