Alumina, also known as aluminum oxide, is an oxide of aluminum. It's commonly used as an abrasive and in making ceramics and refractories.
Alumina is like the sandpaper in a woodshop. It's used to smooth out other materials (like metals) because of its hardness, just as sandpaper is used to smooth out rough pieces of wood.
Bauxite: The primary ore from which aluminum is extracted; it contains a high percentage of alumina.
Corundum: A crystalline form of aluminum oxide and one of the rock-forming minerals.
Refractory Materials: Materials that can withstand high temperatures without melting or breaking down; alumina is often used in these materials.
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