The mineral has a very significant place in world trade. It is the third most abundant ore in the earth’s crust. The existing deposits in the world are capable of meeting the world’s bauxite needs for hundreds of years.
This mineral’s mining brings some ecological problems such as erosion and pollution of water resources. However, it is a fact that bauxite production and mining will continue as long as the world needs aluminum.
It is the raw material of aluminum. 90 percent of the world’s alumina and aluminum production comes from bauxite. Its most common use is in the production of aluminum.
In parallel with the production of alumina (aluminum oxide) and liquid aluminum, bauxite production also differs by region.
Apart from this, it is the building block of the production of building materials such as fire-resistant refractory bricks and cement.
Aluminum oxide (alumina); It is a white powder by refining red bauxite as it contains about 30-40 percent iron.
Some sectors and products where bauxite we use are as follows; aircraft industry, automotive, household appliances, power tools, abrasives.
The chemical formula of bauxite is usually “Al2O3NH2O”. However, since the minerals in the bauxite ore differ, the formula may also be different. The hardness value is 1 to 3. Its density is between 2 and 2.5.
Actually, Bauxite is is not a mineral. Ore is an impure form of the mineral. A mineral, on the other hand, is a pure compound with a precise formula. Therefore, not every ore is a mineral, and not every mineral is an ore.
So that, Bauxite is a residual soil formed because of the erosion of rocks by external effects. In other words, laterite is a rock consisting of soil.
However, It generally occurs as a result of lateralization in tropical and subtropical regions. Since it is an ore consisting of a mixture of minerals, its crystal system is amorphous. It is an oily, streaky, and shiny mineral. It has a clay appearance resembling soil.
Like Minerals such as silica, calcium, iron, and titanium in bauxite reduce the quality of ore.
Additional information
Chemical Element
Natural Aluminum Oxide (corundum) – Al2O3
Characteristics
Hard, tough and rough rock type of natural grey color
Applications
◆Surface preparation
◆ Flooring Anti-skid
◆ Sanding
◆ Blasting Grinding
◆ Polishing
◆ Traction enhancement
◆ Filler
Chemical Analysis
Standard Grit Sizes
3-6 mm 1-3 mm 0-1 mm
Physical Analysis
English (UK) English (UK) 
Türkçe