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| "Synonyms:Aluminum trifluoride Aluminium trifluoride Aluminum(III) fluoride Aluminum fluoride anhydrous Aluminum fluoride trihydrate Molecular Formula:AlF3 Molecular Weight: 83.98 HS Code: 2826121000 Grade:AF-0,F61% Min AF-1,F60% Min AF-2,F58% Min AF-3,F58% Min Hazard Class:General Cargo" | |||||||||
7784-18-1
bosschem
7784-18-1
1. Product Overview
Aluminum fluoride (AlF₃) is a white, thermally stable crystalline fluorid. Added to the molten cryolite electrolyte of aluminum reduction cells, it lowers the electrolyte melting point, raises ionic conductivity and keeps the bath chemistry in balance — directly improving current efficiency, energy consumption and metal purity.
The same fluxing chemistry extends well beyond smelting: AlF₃ is a fluxing component of ceramic glazes and enamels, a Lewis-acid catalyst in organic synthesis, and a fluorine source for specialty glass and advanced materials. Supplied in smelter, ceramic and high-purity grades, it is a stable, easy-to-handle powder with consistent quality.
A single salt, four core value propositions:
Aluminium Smelting:
● the standard electrolyte additive of aluminum reduction cells, lowering melting point and boosting conductivity;
Ceramics & Glass:
● a fluxing and opacifying component of ceramic glazes, enamels and specialty glass;
Catalysis & Chemical Synthesis:
● a Lewis-acid catalyst and fluorination reagent for organic and petrochemical chemistry;
Specialty & Emerging Applications:
● a fluorine source for optical materials, battery electrolytes and advanced fluoride compounds.
2. Product Information (Quick Facts)
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | Aluminium fluoride (anhydrous) |
Synonyms | Aluminum trifluoride; Aluminium(III) fluoride; AlF₃ |
CAS No. | 7784-18-1 (anhydrous); 15098-87-0 (trihydrate) |
EC No. (EINECS) | 232-051-1 |
Molecular Formula | AlF₃ |
Molecular Weight | 83.98 g/mol |
HS Code | 2826.12 (fluorides of aluminium; 8-digit code may vary by destination) |
Appearance | White crystalline powder |
Density | 3.10 g/cm³ |
Sublimation Point | ≈ 1291 °C |
3. Key Features & Benefits
● Lower electrolyte melting point: added to cryolite baths, AlF₃ reduces the liquidus temperature and widens the operating window of aluminum cells.
● Higher current efficiency: balanced bath chemistry improves conductivity and reduces energy consumption per ton of aluminum.
● Consistent metal quality: controlled bath ratio supports uniform deposition and low impurity pickup in the molten metal.
● Extreme thermal stability: stable up to its sublimation point (≈ 1291 °C), surviving molten-bath service without decomposition.
● Versatile flux chemistry: one fluoride serving smelting, glazes, enamels and glass.
● Strong Lewis acidity: useful catalyst and fluorination reagent in organic and petrochemical synthesis.
● Full traceability: COA with every batch documenting AlF₃ assay and key impurities.
4. Main Applications
4.1 Aluminium Smelting (Core Application)
Aluminum fluoride is a process-critical additive of the Hall–Héroult reduction cell:
● Electrolyte adjustment: maintains the cryolite ratio (NaF/AlF₃) of the molten bath for efficient electrolysis;
● Melting-point control: lowers the bath liquidus temperature, saving energy and reducing fluoride emissions;
● Conductivity and deposition: boosts ionic conductivity and supports uniform aluminum deposition on the cathode;
● Aluminium silicate and scrap refining: flux in secondary aluminum and specialty processes.
4.2 Ceramics & Glass
● Ceramic glazes and enamels: fluxing and opacifying component lowering firing temperature and improving gloss and strength;
● Specialty glass: fluorine source modulating refractive index and transmittance of optical and technical glass;
● Sanitaryware and tiles: glaze component for smooth, durable surfaces.
4.3 Catalysis & Chemical Synthesis
● Lewis-acid catalyst: promotes fluorination, isomerization and other acid-catalyzed reactions;
● Aluminium fluoride-based catalysts: supports and precursors for industrial fluorination catalysts;
● Petrochemical processes: catalyst component in alkylation and related chemistries.
4.4 Specialty & Emerging Applications
● Optical and fluoride materials: component of fluoride glasses and optical coatings;
● Battery and energy materials: fluorine source in electrolyte and solid-state research;
● Fermentation control: inhibitor of secondary fermentation in alcohol production;
● Advanced fluoride compounds: precursor for aluminium-based fluorides and cryolite-type materials.
5. Packaging, Storage
Packaging (customizable):
● 25 kg multi-wall paper bag with PE liner, 50 kg woven bag, or 500 kg – 1,000 kg FIBC;
Storage:
● Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat;
● Keep containers closed to prevent moisture pick-up and caking;
● Store away from acids and incompatible materials;
● Recommended storage temperature 5 °C – 35 °C.
● Factory-direct supply: own production capacity, transparent pricing, no middleman markup;
● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested, COA with every shipment,small trial orders accepted.
● Export experience: familiar with sea/air shipping documentation for chemical commodities, complete paperwork support;
Its dominant use is in primary aluminum production, where it is added to the molten cryolite electrolyte to lower the melting point, raise conductivity and maintain bath chemistry. It is also used as a flux in ceramic glazes and enamels, a Lewis-acid catalyst in organic synthesis, and a fluorine source for specialty glass and advanced materials.
The Hall–Héroult cell runs on a molten cryolite (Na₃AlF₆) bath at 950 – 970 °C. AlF₃ adjusts the bath ratio, lowering the liquidus temperature and increasing ionic conductivity, which cuts energy consumption, improves current efficiency and produces cleaner metal. Smelters dose it continuously to compensate for losses, so consistent AlF₃ quality directly affects cell performance.
