The modern construction sector is making use of polymer-based sealing and bonding products. Fine particle-sized chemical calcium carbonate is appropriate for sealants and adhesives. These products are available with advanced surface modifications like water repellants. This helps to enhance the sealants, putty or adhesive’s polymer matrix compatibility. It even offers a guarantee for construction materials and buildings’ long-term stability.
Products designed from aluminum hydroxide are great for flame retardant. They act as an in-built fire extinguisher to slow down the flames and suppress the smoke. For acid stability in marine or industrial surroundings, pure silica products are employed. Marble-based products help to avoid glass discoloration and maintain the ultimate whiteness of glass products.
If you are in the market to buy chemical raw materials then they need to be high quality. Bisley International is one of the most popular and reliable chemical raw materials suppliers. There is an increase in demand for flame retardants that are driving growth in the chemical industry. The market is projected to increase dramatically and reach $672 million by the end of 2021.
Key market trends
- 40% Alumina Trihydrate is employed in the plastic industry as a flame retardant.
- End-user industries like construction, transportation, automotive, electrical, etc. use plastics because of their benefits like less weight, low cost, water resistance, durability, etc.
- The automotive industry has high demands for fire-resistant and lightweight materials for design flexibility and increase efficiency.
- The electrical sector is replacing halogenated materials with non-halogenated flame retardant materials in applications like transformers, motors, circuit breakers, etc.
- In the European and Asia-Pacific region, polymer production activities are increasing, so there is high demand for the aluminum hydroxide market as forecasted.
Aluminum hydroxide [alumina trihydrate] – Increase in demand
ATH or aluminum hydroxide is extracted from bauxite ore with the help of the Bayer Process. The average particle size ranges from 80 to 100 microns. ATH crystals impart great chemical reactivity. It can react with the base as an acid, so is used as raw material in multiple applications.
The dry ball mills grind the alumina hydrate into fine powder. This fine ATH powder is used as a flame retardant in applications like solid countertops, polymer composites, filtering mediums, ion exchangers, emulsifiers, absorbents, etc.
ATH comprises three water molecules. When exposed to heat more than 220°C, ATH decomposes and forms water [34%] & aluminum oxide [66%]. It is an irreversible endothermic reaction that makes ATH an efficient flame retardant.
ATH is also used in major applications including –
- Refractory materials retain strength when exposed to high temperatures like in furnace linings, reactors, incinerators, and kilns.
- Ceramic materials are brittle, hard, and vulnerable to stress. They have high resistance to heat but the latest development in the ceramic field is it comprises nearly 99% alumina-based products.
- The polishing process involves rubbing the surface smooth and shiny with chemical compounds. Alumina is abrasive, so is used in multiple polishing compounds.
Coarse alumina, fine alumina, reactive alumina, reactive ultra-fine ATH, and polishing alumina are the different forms of aluminum hydroxide or alumina trihydrate available for distinct uses. Understand the purpose of your ATH use before buying it from a reliable chemical raw material supplier!
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