bauxite
/'bɔ:ksait/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A clay-like mineral: Bauxite is a naturally occurring, heterogeneous material that typically has a reddish-brown color and an earthy appearance.
- The chief ore of aluminum: It is the primary source from which aluminum metal is commercially extracted.
- Composition: It is composed mainly of aluminum oxides and aluminum hydroxides, such as gibbsite (Al(OH)₃), boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)), and diaspore (α-AlO(OH)).
- Industrial uses: Beyond aluminum production, bauxite is used as an abrasive material and as a catalyst in various chemical processes.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The country's economy relies heavily on the export of bauxite.
- Aluminum is produced by refining bauxite in a complex industrial process.
- This region has vast deposits of high-grade bauxite.
Advanced Usage
- "Bauxite mining": The process of extracting bauxite ore from the earth.
- Bauxite mining can have significant environmental impacts if not managed responsibly.
- "Bauxite residue" (or "red mud"): The insoluble waste product left after alumina extraction.
- Finding safe uses for bauxite residue is a major challenge for the aluminum industry.
Variants and Related Words
- Alumina (n): Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), the intermediate compound extracted from bauxite during the refining process.
- Alumina is smelted to produce pure aluminum metal.
- Laterite (n): A soil and rock type rich in iron and aluminum, often associated with bauxite deposits in tropical regions.
Synonyms
- Aluminum ore: A general term for rocks containing aluminum minerals, with bauxite being the most important.
- Aluminous clay: A descriptive term highlighting its clay-like properties and aluminum content.
Related Phrases
(Note: As a specific mineral name, "bauxite" does not commonly form phrasal verbs or idioms. Its usage is primarily technical and industrial.)
Noun
- a clay-like mineral; the chief ore of aluminum; composed of aluminum oxides and aluminum hydroxides; used as an abrasive and catalyst