Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder CAS 1299-86-1

About 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.

Feel free to inquire about the latest aluminum carbide price if you would like to buy Aluminum Carbide Powder in bulk.

How is Aluminum Carbide Al4C3 Powder produced?

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.