Synthesis and properties of high-purity alumina

High-purity alumina is intended primarily for the high-pressure sodium-vapor lamp envelope market and other specialty alumina applications such as abrasives, catalysts, and structural ceramics. High-purity alumina must calcine to Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] with minimal metal impurities ([>=]99.99% Al[sub 2]O[sub 3]). Sulfate and chloride impurities are also undesirable. High-purity alumina should have less than 20ppm alkali and alkaline-earth metals, and less than 10 ppm each in transition-metal impurities. A process for synthesizing alumina by converting pure aluminum metal to aluminum hydroxide and the resultant alumina properties are described.