Aluminium carbide

Aluminium carbide
Names
	Preferred IUPAC name Aluminium carbide
	Other names Tetraaluminium tricarbide; Aluminium methanide;
Identifiers
CAS Number	1299-86-1 ; 12656-43-8 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	21241412 ;
EC Number	215-076-2;
MeSH	Aluminum+carbide
PubChem CID	16685054;
UN number	1394
	InChI InChI=1S/3C.4Al/q3-4;4+3 Key: TWHBEKGYWPPYQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N ; InChI=1/3C.4Al/q3-4;4+3 Key: TWHBEKGYWPPYQL-UHFFFAOYAR;
	SMILES [Al+3].[Al+3].[Al+3].[Al+3].[C-4].[C-4].[C-4];
Properties
Chemical formula	Al; 4C; 3
Molar mass	143.95853 g/mol
Appearance	colorless (when pure) hexagonal crystals
Odor	odorless
Density	2.36 g/cm3
Melting point	2,100 °C (3,810 °F; 2,370 K)
Boiling point	decomposes at 1400 °C
Solubility in water	Evolves methane (CH; 4), Al(OH)3, and heat.
Structure
Crystal structure	Rhombohedral, hR21, space group
Space group	R3m（No. 166）
Lattice constant	a = 0.3335 nm, b = 0.3335 nm, c = 0.85422 nm α = 78.743°, β = 78.743°, γ = 60°
Thermochemistry
Heat capacity (C)	116.8 J/(mol·K)
Std molar; entropy (So298)	88.95 J/(mol·K)
Std enthalpy of; formation (ΔfH⦵298)	−209 kJ/mol
Gibbs free energy (ΔfG˚)	−196 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet	Fisher Science SDS
GHS pictograms
GHS Signal word	Danger
GHS hazard statements	H228, H261, H315, H319, H335
GHS precautionary statements	P223, P231+232, P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+352, P304+340+312Script error: No such module "Preview warning".Category:GHS errors, P305+351+338, P332+313, P335+334, P337+313, P362, P370+378, P402+404, P403+233, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 2 W
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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	Infobox references

Aluminium carbide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Al
4C
3. It is a carbide of aluminium. It has the appearance of pale yellow to brown crystals. It is stable up to 1,400 °C (2,550 °F). It decomposes in water with the production of methane.

Preparation

Aluminium carbide is prepared by direct reaction of aluminium and carbon in an electric arc furnace.^[5]

4 Al + 3 C → Al
4C
3

An alternative reaction begins with alumina, but it is less favorable because of generation of carbon monoxide.

2 Al
2O
3 + 9 C → Al
4C
3 + 6 CO

Silicon carbide also reacts with aluminium to yield Al
4C
3. This conversion limits the mechanical applications of SiC, because Al
4C
3 is more brittle than SiC.^[6]

4 Al + 3 SiC → Al
4C
3 + 3 Si

Reactions

Aluminium carbide hydrolyses with evolution of methane^[7] and considerable amounts of heat.^[8]

Al
4C
3 + 12 H
2O → 4 Al(OH)
3 + 3 CH
4

The addition of 10g of Al
4C
3 to 10g of water was found to reach a maximum temperature of 387 °F (197 °C) at a time of 11 minutes in one study, while in another the addition of 20g of Al
4C
3 to 10g of water reached a maximum temperature of 280 °F (138 °C). Reversing the order and adding 10g of water to 20g of Al
4C
3 reached a maximum temperature of 349 °F (176 °C).^[8]

Similar reactions occur with other protic reagents:^[1]

Al
4C
3 + 12 HCl → 4 AlCl
3 + 3 CH
4

Composites

Reactive hot isostatic pressing (hipping) at ≈40 megapascals (390 atm) of the appropriate mixtures of Ti, Al
4C
3-graphite, for 15 hours at 1,300 °C (2,370 °F) yields predominantly single-phase samples of Ti
2AlC
0.5N
0.5, 30 hours at 1,300 °C (2,370 °F) yields predominantly single-phase samples of Ti
2AlC (Titanium aluminium carbide).^[9]

In aluminium-matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide, the chemical reactions between silicon carbide and molten aluminium generate a layer of aluminium carbide on the silicon carbide particles, which decreases the strength of the material, although it increases the wettability of the SiC particles.^[10] This tendency can be decreased by coating the silicon carbide particles with a suitable oxide or nitride, preoxidation of the particles to form a silica coating, or using a layer of sacrificial metal.^[11]

An aluminium-aluminium carbide composite material can be made by mechanical alloying, by mixing aluminium powder with graphite particles.^{[citation needed]}

Structure

Aluminium carbide has an unusual crystal structure that consists of alternating layers of Al
2C and Al
2C
2. Each aluminium atom is coordinated to 4 carbon atoms to give a tetrahedral arrangement. Carbon atoms exist in 2 different binding environments; one is a deformed octahedron of 6 Al atoms at a distance of 217 pm. The other is a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure of 4 Al atoms at 190–194 pm and a fifth Al atom at 221 pm.^[5]^[12]

Occurrence

Small amounts of aluminium carbide are a common impurity of technical calcium carbide. In electrolytic manufacturing of aluminium, aluminium carbide forms as a corrosion product of the graphite electrodes.^[13]

In metal matrix composites based on aluminium matrix reinforced with non-metal carbides (silicon carbide, boron carbide, etc.) or carbon fibres, aluminium carbide often forms as an unwanted product. In case of carbon fibre, it reacts with the aluminium matrix at temperatures above 500 °C (932 °F); better wetting of the fibre and inhibition of chemical reaction can be achieved by coating it with e.g. titanium boride.

Applications

Aluminium carbide particles finely dispersed in aluminium matrix lower the tendency of the material to creep, especially in combination with silicon carbide particles.^[14]

Aluminium carbide can be used as an abrasive in high-speed cutting tools.^{[citation needed]} It has approximately the same hardness as topaz.^{[citation needed]}

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Mary Eagleson (1994). Concise encyclopedia chemistry. Walter de Gruyter. p. 52. ISBN 978-3-11-011451-5. https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope00eagl.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Sigma-Aldrich Co., Aluminum carbide powder.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Gesing, Thorsten M.; Jeitschko, Wolfgang (1 February 1995). "The Crystal Structure and Chemical Properties of U₂Al₃C₄ and Structure Refinement of Al₄C₃". Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B (Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung) 50 (2): 196–200. doi:10.1515/znb-1995-0206.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 "Aluminum carbide SDS" (pdf). Thermo Fisher Scientific. 30 March 2024. p. 3. https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AA1403830&productDescription=ALUMINUM+CARBIDE+250G&vendorId=VN00024248&countryCode=US&language=en.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 297. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.
↑ Deborah D. L. Chung (2010). Composite Materials: Functional Materials for Modern Technologies. Springer. p. 315. ISBN 978-1-84882-830-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=vGstB0vDe04C&pg=PA315.
↑ Qualitative Inorganic Analysis. CUP Archive. 1954. p. 102. https://books.google.com/books?id=rzI9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA102.
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 Kaye, Seymour M.; Herman, Henry L. (1 January 1983). "W - Water, Its Hazardous Reactions and Use in Energetic Materials". Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items. Volume 10. Dover, NJ: Picatinny Arsenal. pp. W10-W11. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA134347.pdf?page=309. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
↑ Barsoum, M.W.; El-Raghy, T.; Ali, M. (30 June 1999). "Processing and characterization of Ti₂AlC, Ti₂AlN, and Ti₂AlC_0.5N_0.5". Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 31 (7): 1857–1865. doi:10.1007/s11661-006-0243-3.
↑ Urena; Salazar, Gomez De; Gil; Escalera; Baldonedo (1999). "Scanning and transmission electron microscopy study of the microstructural changes occurring in aluminium matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles during casting and welding: interface reactions". Journal of Microscopy 196 (2): 124–136. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2818.1999.00610.x. PMID 10540265.
↑ Guillermo Requena. "A359/SiC/xxp: A359 Al alloy reinforced with irregularly shaped SiC particles". MMC-ASSESS Metal Matrix Composites. http://mmc-assess.tuwien.ac.at/data/prm/duralcan/a359_sic.htm.
↑ Solozhenko, Vladimir L.; Kurakevych, Oleksandr O. (2005). "Equation of state of aluminum carbide Al₄C₃". Solid State Communications 133 (6): 385–388. doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2004.11.030. ISSN 0038-1098. Bibcode: 2005SSCom.133..385S.
↑ Thonstad, Jomar; Grjotheim, K.; Malinovský, M.; Malinovský, K.; Krohn, C. (2001). Aluminium electrolysis: fundamentals of the Hall Héroult process (3rd ed.). Düsseldorf, Germany: Aluminium-Verlag Marketing & Kommunikation. p. 314. ISBN 978-3-87017-270-1.
↑ Zhu, S.J; Peng, L.M; Zhou, Q; Ma, Z.Y; Kuchařová, K; Čadek, J (August 1999). "Creep behaviour of aluminium strengthened by fine aluminium carbide particles and reinforced by silicon carbide particulates — DS Al–SiC/Al4C3 composites". Materials Science and Engineering: A 268 (1-2): 236–245. doi:10.1016/S0921-5093(98)01119-8.

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Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium carbide. Read more

[str2-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Mary Eagleson (1994). Concise encyclopedia chemistry. Walter de Gruyter. p. 52. ISBN 978-3-11-011451-5. https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope00eagl.

[SigmaAldrich-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Sigma-Aldrich Co., Aluminum carbide powder.

[str-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Gesing, Thorsten M.; Jeitschko, Wolfgang (1 February 1995). "The Crystal Structure and Chemical Properties of U₂Al₃C₄ and Structure Refinement of Al₄C₃". Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B (Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung) 50 (2): 196–200. doi:10.1515/znb-1995-0206.

[FisherSDS-4] 4.0 ^4.1 "Aluminum carbide SDS" (pdf). Thermo Fisher Scientific. 30 March 2024. p. 3. https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AA1403830&productDescription=ALUMINUM+CARBIDE+250G&vendorId=VN00024248&countryCode=US&language=en.

[gr-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 297. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.

[6] Deborah D. L. Chung (2010). Composite Materials: Functional Materials for Modern Technologies. Springer. p. 315. ISBN 978-1-84882-830-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=vGstB0vDe04C&pg=PA315.

[7] Qualitative Inorganic Analysis. CUP Archive. 1954. p. 102. https://books.google.com/books?id=rzI9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA102.

[EncyclopediaExplosives-8] 8.0 ^8.1 Kaye, Seymour M.; Herman, Henry L. (1 January 1983). "W - Water, Its Hazardous Reactions and Use in Energetic Materials". Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items. Volume 10. Dover, NJ: Picatinny Arsenal. pp. W10-W11. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA134347.pdf?page=309. Retrieved 25 August 2025.

[9] Barsoum, M.W.; El-Raghy, T.; Ali, M. (30 June 1999). "Processing and characterization of Ti₂AlC, Ti₂AlN, and Ti₂AlC_0.5N_0.5". Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 31 (7): 1857–1865. doi:10.1007/s11661-006-0243-3.

[10] Urena; Salazar, Gomez De; Gil; Escalera; Baldonedo (1999). "Scanning and transmission electron microscopy study of the microstructural changes occurring in aluminium matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles during casting and welding: interface reactions". Journal of Microscopy 196 (2): 124–136. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2818.1999.00610.x. PMID 10540265.

[11] Guillermo Requena. "A359/SiC/xxp: A359 Al alloy reinforced with irregularly shaped SiC particles". MMC-ASSESS Metal Matrix Composites. http://mmc-assess.tuwien.ac.at/data/prm/duralcan/a359_sic.htm.

[SolozhenkoKurakevych2005-12] Solozhenko, Vladimir L.; Kurakevych, Oleksandr O. (2005). "Equation of state of aluminum carbide Al₄C₃". Solid State Communications 133 (6): 385–388. doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2004.11.030. ISSN 0038-1098. Bibcode: 2005SSCom.133..385S.

[13] Thonstad, Jomar; Grjotheim, K.; Malinovský, M.; Malinovský, K.; Krohn, C. (2001). Aluminium electrolysis: fundamentals of the Hall Héroult process (3rd ed.). Düsseldorf, Germany: Aluminium-Verlag Marketing & Kommunikation. p. 314. ISBN 978-3-87017-270-1.

[14] Zhu, S.J; Peng, L.M; Zhou, Q; Ma, Z.Y; Kuchařová, K; Čadek, J (August 1999). "Creep behaviour of aluminium strengthened by fine aluminium carbide particles and reinforced by silicon carbide particulates — DS Al–SiC/Al4C3 composites". Materials Science and Engineering: A 268 (1-2): 236–245. doi:10.1016/S0921-5093(98)01119-8.

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