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What is aluminium powder?
Aluminum powder (also known as silver powder) is a silver metallic color. It is produced by adding powder to aluminum foil and crushing it into a scaly powder. Aluminum powder is light, buoyant, concealing, heat-reflective, and strong. After treatment it can become non-floating Aluminum Powder. Aluminum powder can identify fingerprints, and it can also be used in fireworks. Aluminum powder is a type of metallic pigments because of its variety of uses, popularity, and high demand.
What is the purpose of aluminum powder?
The particles of aluminum powder used in the pigments are scaly. The scaly particles are what give the aluminum powder its metallic colour and shielding effect. Metal aluminum powder is produced industrially since a very long time. Ramming was the early production method. The aluminum crumbs was placed in the grooves of punching machine. The machine drove a ramming hammer to continuously punch the aluminum in the groove. The ductile metal gradually shatters and becomes flakes. The aluminum is then screened to remove the powdered aluminum that meets the required specifications. The ramming technique has a low production efficiency, the product is hard to control, and it produces a lot dust, which can easily catch fire or explode.
German Hamtag began producing aluminum powder using a mill in 1894. Steel balls, scrap aluminum and lubricants went into the ballmill, where the scrap aluminum was crushed by the steel balls. This resulted in scaly aluminium powder that filled the ballmill and pipeline with inertness. The method of “dry production” is still being used for gas. J. Hall in the United States developed the method of adding petroleum solvents to the ballmill to replace the inert air. The produced aluminum powder is then mixed with this solvent to create a thick slurry that can be used to make slurry aluminum paint. This method has been widely adopted because it is safe and easy to use. The “wet method” is the method used by most modern aluminum powders. Aluminum powder is also used to make fireworks and explosives. Certain types of electronic devices are also made from it. A lot of paints and sealing agents contain aluminum powder.
Is Aluminum Powder Dangerous?
Exposure to fine particles can cause lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) and be accompanied with coughing, shortness in breath. Aluminum powder can be a fire-hazard because it is a flammable, solid.
Powder coatings have a lower risk of fire than regular paints. Comparing powder/air to solvent/air, the ignition energy is 50-100 fold higher. All flammable powders or dusts will, however, form an explosive mix with air. This can be a dangerous situation. Transport, storage, and processing are all safe if the appropriate measures are taken beforehand. To ensure safety, the powder concentration for the above-mentioned powders must not exceed 10g/m3. In the spray zone, this concentration often exceeds 10g/m3. There is always enough oxygen in the air, so it is essential to avoid sparks with more energy.
Comparing resin powders without pigments, when aluminum powder of 5-6% is added, both the “powder constant” (Dust Constant) and the maximum explosion pressure will increase by 10%. As the amount of aluminum powder increases, so will the explosive power. Aluminum powder with a content greater than 25 percent will have the same explosive power as pure metal powder. This dependency on aluminum powder pigments is not responsible for the lowest initiation energy. Pure resin powder will not reach the initiation energies, no matter what dispersion technique is used. Aluminum powder with a pigment content >10%, fine particles and uncoated aluminium powder can reduce the ignition energy.
Powder coatings with aluminum powder are identical to pigmented coatings. Fire or explosion is not a problem as long they don’t exceed the specified limit.
Aluminum powder must not be separated, accumulated or concentrated in the factory to ensure safety. These requirements are also applicable to solvent-based paints containing gold and copper powder. The explosion risk directly caused by the copper-zinc powder alloy is lower than that of aluminum.
Aluminium powder characteristics
The aluminum powder suitable for pigments refers to aluminum powder with scales. Its surface is treated and coated. Aluminum powder paste consists of pigment aluminum and solvent. Its characteristics and use are similar to those of aluminum powder. The output and dosage is larger because it’s easy to use. Comparing to other pigments, the aluminum powder for paints has more features in these aspects:
1. Scaly coverings have certain characteristics.
The particles of aluminum powder are scaly and have a diameter-to-thickness ratio of about (40 to 1) – 100:1. Aluminum powder dispersed on the carrier has the characteristic to be parallel with the substrate. Many aluminum powders have been connected. The particles are filled together to form a continuous metallic film that covers the surface and reflects light from outside. The uniqueness of aluminum powder lies in its ability to hide. Aluminum powder has a unique hiding power that is based on its surface area. This is the ratio of thickness to diameter. Aluminum is stretched during the grinding process, the diameter-to-thickness ratio continues to increase, and the hiding power also increases.
2. Shielding properties of aluminum powder
The aluminum dispersed in carrier film floats and, as a result, it always forms a parallel layer of aluminum powder on the substrate. These layers are arranged in multiple parallel layers within the carrier. The spacing between the layers of aluminum powder prevents the carrier film’s capillary pores from being used. This means that external moisture or gas can not pass through to the substrate. This is due to the physical shielding properties of aluminum powder.
3. Aluminium powder with optical properties
The aluminum powder has a metallic luster and a light colour. Its smooth surface can reflect between 60%-90% the visible light, UV light, and infrared. The surface of the object is silvery, bright and coated with paint that contains aluminum powder. Aluminum powder is known for its ability to reflect light.
4. Aluminum powder can produce a two-color effect
Aluminum powder exhibits a metallic luster, and is parallel to the coated item. The gloss and color depth change depending on the angle of incident light and the viewing angle. This is called “the two-color effect”. The aluminum powder in the coating is arranged differently in the film. When light strikes each layer of aluminum flake, the film thickness is affected by the light differently. Also, the brightness of the reflected light varies. As light enters a film that contains transparent pigments, it passes through the particles of pigment to become colored and is then reflected by various levels of aluminum. This results in changes of color tone and metal light. This property of aluminum powder is used widely in coatings such as hammer-paint or metallic paint.
5. Aluminium powder that floats
Floating type aluminum powder or aluminum paste is large and is used for pigments. This type is distinguished by its scaly appearance on the surface.
This 3D printed electric motorcycle is fully functional and made with aluminum powder
Airbus has entered the 3D motorcycle market. Light Rider is a 3D printed electric bicycle that is also the future for electric cars.
This 3D bike was launched by APWorks, a subsidiary of Airbus, and was described by them as “corrosion-resistant, combined with lightweight aluminum and almost specific strength titanium.” Scalmalloy – a special alloy for APWorks – is responsible for these qualities. Aluminum powder developed by researchers.
How do you print something so strong as a bicycle using powder? Airbus has explained that Light Rider is made of thousands thin layers with a thickness of 60 microns. Hollow frame adds to the appeal of this 3D printed electric bike. Comparing to other bicycles the frame weight has been reduced by 30%. Joachim Zettler – CEO Airbus APWorks GmbH – explained that this bicycle cannot be made using traditional milling or welding techniques. The team decided on a hollow, branched structure. So, now each Light Rider 3D printed weighs less than 35kg.
Light Rider may seem like a toy but it is incredibly practical. The top speed of the Light Rider is 49m/h, despite not being Harley. The company’s aim is to use 3D Printed electric bicycles mostly for urban driving. Airbus claims the battery of its electric vehicle can travel 37 miles after each charge.
(aka. Technology Co. Ltd., a global chemical material manufacturer and supplier with more than 12 years of experience in providing high-quality Nanomaterials and chemicals. Currently, we have developed a number of materials. Aluminum powder produced by us is high-purity, has fine particles and contains low impurities. Send us an e-mail or click the desired products to
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The particles of aluminum powder used in the pigments are scaly. The scaly particles are what give the aluminum powder its metallic colour and shielding effect. Metal aluminum powder is produced industrially since a very long time. Ramming was the early production method. The aluminum crumbs was placed in the grooves of punching machine. The machine drove a ramming hammer to continuously punch the aluminum in the groove. The ductile metal gradually shatters and becomes flakes. The aluminum is then screened to remove the powdered aluminum that meets the required specifications. The ramming technique has a low production efficiency, the product is hard to control, and it produces a lot dust, which can easily catch fire or explode.
German Hamtag began producing aluminum powder using a mill in 1894. Steel balls, scrap aluminum and lubricants went into the ballmill, where the scrap aluminum was crushed by the steel balls. This resulted in scaly aluminium powder that filled the ballmill and pipeline with inertness. The method of “dry production” is still being used for gas. J. Hall in the United States developed the method of adding petroleum solvents to the ballmill to replace the inert air. The produced aluminum powder is then mixed with this solvent to create a thick slurry that can be used to make slurry aluminum paint. This method has been widely adopted because it is safe and easy to use. The “wet method” is the method used by most modern aluminum powders. Aluminum powder is also used to make fireworks and explosives. Certain types of electronic devices are also made from it. A lot of paints and sealing agents contain aluminum powder.
Is Aluminum Powder Dangerous?
Exposure to fine particles can cause lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) and be accompanied with coughing, shortness in breath. Aluminum powder can be a fire-hazard because it is a flammable, solid.
Powder coatings have a lower risk of fire than regular paints. Comparing powder/air to solvent/air, the ignition energy is 50-100 fold higher. All flammable powders or dusts will, however, form an explosive mix with air. This can be a dangerous situation. Transport, storage, and processing are all safe if the appropriate measures are taken beforehand. To ensure safety, the powder concentration for the above-mentioned powders must not exceed 10g/m3. In the spray zone, this concentration often exceeds 10g/m3. There is always enough oxygen in the air, so it is essential to avoid sparks with more energy.
Comparing resin powders without pigments, when aluminum powder of 5-6% is added, both the “powder constant” (Dust Constant) and the maximum explosion pressure will increase by 10%. As the amount of aluminum powder increases, so will the explosive power. Aluminum powder with a content greater than 25 percent will have the same explosive power as pure metal powder. This dependency on aluminum powder pigments is not responsible for the lowest initiation energy. Pure resin powder will not reach the initiation energies, no matter what dispersion technique is used. Aluminum powder with a pigment content >10%, fine particles and uncoated aluminium powder can reduce the ignition energy.
Powder coatings with aluminum powder are identical to pigmented coatings. Fire or explosion is not a problem as long they don’t exceed the specified limit.
Aluminum powder must not be separated, accumulated or concentrated in the factory to ensure safety. These requirements are also applicable to solvent-based paints containing gold and copper powder. The explosion risk directly caused by the copper-zinc powder alloy is lower than that of aluminum.
The aluminum powder suitable for pigments refers to aluminum powder with scales. Its surface is treated and coated. Aluminum powder paste consists of pigment aluminum and solvent. Its characteristics and use are similar to those of aluminum powder. The output and dosage is larger because it’s easy to use. Comparing to other pigments, the aluminum powder for paints has more features in these aspects:
1. Scaly coverings have certain characteristics.
The particles of aluminum powder are scaly and have a diameter-to-thickness ratio of about (40 to 1) – 100:1. Aluminum powder dispersed on the carrier has the characteristic to be parallel with the substrate. Many aluminum powders have been connected. The particles are filled together to form a continuous metallic film that covers the surface and reflects light from outside. The uniqueness of aluminum powder lies in its ability to hide. Aluminum powder has a unique hiding power that is based on its surface area. This is the ratio of thickness to diameter. Aluminum is stretched during the grinding process, the diameter-to-thickness ratio continues to increase, and the hiding power also increases.
2. Shielding properties of aluminum powder
The aluminum dispersed in carrier film floats and, as a result, it always forms a parallel layer of aluminum powder on the substrate. These layers are arranged in multiple parallel layers within the carrier. The spacing between the layers of aluminum powder prevents the carrier film’s capillary pores from being used. This means that external moisture or gas can not pass through to the substrate. This is due to the physical shielding properties of aluminum powder.
3. Aluminium powder with optical properties
The aluminum powder has a metallic luster and a light colour. Its smooth surface can reflect between 60%-90% the visible light, UV light, and infrared. The surface of the object is silvery, bright and coated with paint that contains aluminum powder. Aluminum powder is known for its ability to reflect light.
4. Aluminum powder can produce a two-color effect
Aluminum powder exhibits a metallic luster, and is parallel to the coated item. The gloss and color depth change depending on the angle of incident light and the viewing angle. This is called “the two-color effect”. The aluminum powder in the coating is arranged differently in the film. When light strikes each layer of aluminum flake, the film thickness is affected by the light differently. Also, the brightness of the reflected light varies. As light enters a film that contains transparent pigments, it passes through the particles of pigment to become colored and is then reflected by various levels of aluminum. This results in changes of color tone and metal light. This property of aluminum powder is used widely in coatings such as hammer-paint or metallic paint.
5. Aluminium powder that floats
Floating type aluminum powder or aluminum paste is large and is used for pigments. This type is distinguished by its scaly appearance on the surface.
This 3D printed electric motorcycle is fully functional and made with aluminum powder
Airbus has entered the 3D motorcycle market. Light Rider is a 3D printed electric bicycle that is also the future for electric cars.
This 3D bike was launched by APWorks, a subsidiary of Airbus, and was described by them as “corrosion-resistant, combined with lightweight aluminum and almost specific strength titanium.” Scalmalloy – a special alloy for APWorks – is responsible for these qualities. Aluminum powder developed by researchers.
How do you print something so strong as a bicycle using powder? Airbus has explained that Light Rider is made of thousands thin layers with a thickness of 60 microns. Hollow frame adds to the appeal of this 3D printed electric bike. Comparing to other bicycles the frame weight has been reduced by 30%. Joachim Zettler – CEO Airbus APWorks GmbH – explained that this bicycle cannot be made using traditional milling or welding techniques. The team decided on a hollow, branched structure. So, now each Light Rider 3D printed weighs less than 35kg.
Light Rider may seem like a toy but it is incredibly practical. The top speed of the Light Rider is 49m/h, despite not being Harley. The company’s aim is to use 3D Printed electric bicycles mostly for urban driving. Airbus claims the battery of its electric vehicle can travel 37 miles after each charge.