alundum
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Definition
Noun: A synthetic, fused, crystalline form of alumina (aluminum oxide, Al₂O₃), used primarily as an abrasive material and in refractory products due to its high hardness and heat resistance.
Usage
"Alundum" is a technical and industrial term. It refers specifically to the manufactured, fused product, not to naturally occurring alumina or other forms. It is typically used as a mass noun (uncountable) to describe the material itself.
Examples
- The grinding wheel was made from a bonded alundum abrasive.
- High-temperature furnace linings often incorporate alundum for its refractory properties.
- Alundum is valued for its durability in cutting and polishing applications.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used attributively (like an adjective) to describe products made from this material.
- Example: The workshop ordered new alundum stones for sharpening tools.
Variants and Related Words
- Alumina (noun): The chemical compound aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), which is the base material for alundum. Alumina can occur naturally or be synthesized in various forms.
- Corundum (noun): A naturally occurring crystalline form of alumina, of which ruby and sapphire are gem varieties. Alundum is the synthetic, fused equivalent used industrially.
- Abrasive (noun/adjective): A general term for a hard material used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning. Alundum is a type of abrasive.
Synonyms
- Fused alumina
- Synthetic corundum (in an industrial context)
- Aluminum oxide abrasive (a more general descriptive term)
Notes on Meaning
This word has a single, specific technical meaning related to materials science and manufacturing. It does not have idiomatic uses or phrasal verbs.
Noun
- a substance made of fused alumina