Alundum

/əˈlʌndəm/ noun

Definition

A synthetic abrasive material made from aluminum oxide, used for grinding and polishing surfaces.

Etymology

Created in the early 1900s as a brand name combining 'aluminum' and 'corundum'; it became a trade name for fused aluminum oxide abrasives developed through industrial processes.

Kelly Says

Alundum is basically artificial ruby and sapphire—same chemical composition as gemstones, but made in factories instead of nature, which lets engineers create the perfect hardness for specific jobs.

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