World polishing compounds

The free world market for cerium-oxide based polishing compounds is not large—approximately 4400 metric tons per year—, and we do not see a substantial growth potential despite the 11% annual growth in sales of spectacle lenses. The reason is twofold first, faster more efficient polishing compounds are available which can be used in slurry concentrations one-half that of a few years ago second, fully half the market for ophthalmic glass lenses has been captured by plastic lenses of CR-39 polymer. Cerium oxide is ineffective in polishing this material specially treated alumina or stannic oxide are used. 

CoAsS, are also used as sources. The ore is roasted and Co is precipitated as the hydroxide and then reduced to Co with carbon (hep below 417 - C, cep to m.p.). The metal is silvery white and readily polished. It dissolves in dilute acids and is slowly oxidized in air. Adsorbs hydrogen strongly. The main use of cobalt is in alloys. Cobalt compounds are used in paints and varnishes, catalysts. Cobalt is an essential element in the diet. World production 1976 32 000 tonnes metal. 

Corundum. Comndum [1302-75-5] (see Aluminum compounds) is a naturally occurring massive crystalline mineral composed of aluminum oxide. It is an impure form of the gems mby and sapphke. Prior to 1900 comndum was an important abrasive for the production of grinding wheels. Today it is mainly employed as a loose abrasive for grinding and polishing optical lenses. Almost all the world s supply of comndum now comes from Africa, primarily from Zimbabwe. 

Gibbsite is aii important technical product and world production, predominantly by the Bayer process, is more than 50 million metric tons aimuaHy. Alost (90%) is calcined to alumina [1344-28-1 j, Al202, to be used for aluminum production. Tlie remainder is used by the chemical industry as filler for paper, plastics, rubber, and as the starting material for the preparation of various aluminum compounds, alumina ceramics, refractories, polishing products, catalysts, and catalyst supports. 

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