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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: S_Ch_S on April 01, 2020, 01:26:32 PM

Title: Aluminum Crystals
Post by: S_Ch_S on April 01, 2020, 01:26:32 PM

I have the same question:

https://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=17937

Can anyone recommend a method to grow aluminum crystals? Is it possible via electrolysis?

Thanks

Title: Re: Aluminum Crystals
Post by: Enthalpy on April 02, 2020, 07:50:53 AM

Welcome, S_Ch_S!

You want metallic aluminium, is that it ?

Electrolysis of aluminium is difficult with limited means. It's not done in aqueous solutions, because the redox potential lets produce hydrogen instead of metallic aluminium - and aluminium makes additional reactions. You could check and meditate that list
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_electrode_potential_(data_page)

Metallic aluminium is obtained industrially by electrolysis of a molten salt, without water not solvent.

To grow crystals, it's easier to melt and solidify some aluminium alloy. For instance if you try to weld an Al-Cu4-MgZn alloy with TIG equipment, you obtain crystals about 2mm big, that are highly unwanted as they make a brittle weld seam. Slower solidification, if possible oriented, would grow bigger crystals.

Title: Re: Aluminum Crystals
Post by: mjc123 on April 02, 2020, 05:19:19 PM

The thread referred to asked about alum crystals (although the title did say aluminum). @S_Ch_S, what do you want? Do you know the difference? (And have you tried the answer given in that thread?)