Sustainable Products

Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃), or alumina, is one of the most versatile refractory ceramic oxides that finds use in a wide range of applications. It is white, amorphous, and inert. It is the most common technical ceramic material used today. The versatility of alumina stems from its broadly impressive material properties, ease of manufacture, wide availability, and budget-friendly cost. It has high heat resistance, high thermal conductivity, high strength and hardness, high electrical insulation, high corrosion resistance and is biocompatible. Purities available range from 95% (industrial grade) to 99.999% (high purity grade) and the product is also available to MIL-A-22262B.

Aluminum titanate, or aluminum titanium oxide, is a ceramic material consisting of a mixture of alumina (Al₂O₃) and titania (TiO₂) that has high thermal shock resistance (a very low coefficient of thermal expansion), low thermal conductivity, and optimal chemical resistance to molten metals. Granulations are available from 150 microns and finer. Purities from 99.0% to 99.9%

Tripoli powder is a rose or cream-colored, free-flowing non-metallic odorless powder insoluble in water. Tripoli, whose chemical name is silicon dioxide, is a highly porous lightweight material that can easily be cut with a fingernail and crumbled into a fine powder between the fingertips; however, the individual grains (usually 0.01 millimeters or more refined) are so strong they will scratch steel.

Antimony(III) Sulfide (Sb₂S₃), or Antimony Trisulfide, is the most common antimony mineral and the chief source of the metal. It is a black needle-like crystal and semiconductor with a direct band gap of 1.8–2.5 eV. Purity: 98.0% up to 99.99% Powder sized down to nanometers

Attapulgite is a naturally mined clay. It is one of the main types of Fuller's Earth Clay. These clays can decolorize oil or other liquids without harsh chemical treatments. Attapulgite has very good colloidal properties. These include specific features in dispersion, high-temperature endurance, and salt and alkali resistance. Attapulgite also has certain plastic and adhesive characteristics.

Avocado stone is a natural organic material with most of the nutrients contained in its large, heavy stone. It is richer in amino acids, vitamins, and soluble fibers than any other fruit or vegetable. Avocado stone has a high antioxidant content making it attractive for many herbal remedies and anti-aging formulations. The powder has a somewhat nutty flavor. Due to its relatively high oil content, it should be eaten and processed in a fresh state.

The basalts are hard, dense fine-grained rocks of very dark color- green or black, composed mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene. Basalt can be made into fine, superfine, and ultra-fine fibers. Basalt fibers are considered superior to other fibers in terms of thermal stability, heat and sound insulation properties, vibration resistance, and durability. They offer the prospect of a completely new range of composite materials and products.

Bentonite is an absorbent swelling clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite (a type of smectite) which can either be Sodium (Na)-montmorillonite or Calcium (Ca)-montmorillonite. Na-montmorillonite has a considerably greater swelling capacity than Ca-montmorillonite. As a swelling clay, bentonite can absorb large quantities of water, which increases its volume by up to a factor of eight.

This coal slag quickly cuts through surfaces faster than other abrasives while being environmentally friendly and leaving minimal dust with low free silica attributes (contains less than .01% free silica). BLACK BEAUTY^® Abrasive black boiler slag is a highly effective blasting medium with a lower cost, making it a more economical option. BLACK BEAUTY^® abrasive raw materials are sourced from stringent sources that meet environmental standards, including the most stringent abrasive specifications in the market. The fine and extra fine grades of BLACK BEAUTY^® abrasive are military QPL approved to specification MIL-A-22262B(SH).

Bone Char is a granular material produced by charring bovine bones: the bones are heated to high temperatures (in the range of 400 to 500 °C), and a unique form of activated carbon is created. Bone char consists mainly of calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂), Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃), and a small amount of carbon (~12%); however, the quality of the bone chars is controlled by the amount of oxygen present in the charring atmosphere. Bone chars usually have a lower surface area than activated carbons but present high adsorptive capacities for copper, zinc, and cadmium. The carbonized material possesses great mechanical strength and improved adsorption of many chemicals, e.g., Fluorine, Chlorine, Lead, and many more.

Boron (B) is a semi-metal of which several allotropes exist. Boron is very hard and very resistant to heat. One main allotrope is a brown amorphous powder when pure. It is more reactive than crystalline boron as it slowly oxidizes in the air and can react violently with acid. Military Specifications: MIL-B-51092 (ORD), PA-PD-451, OS 11608 Grade I SB95 (93%-97% Boron purity) Particle Size range 0.8 micron max FSSS Grade II SB90 (90%-92% Boron purity) Particle Size range 1.0 micron max FSSS Grade III SB86 (86%-89.9% Boron purity) Particle Size range 1.2 micron max FSSS SB2000 (55%-77% Boron purity)

Round ceramic particles are used in vibratory finishing for polishing, grinding, and surface treatments. Various sizes are available to optimize the quality of your finished product, providing cost-effective, mass-produced results.

Cerium(IV) oxide, or cerium dioxide, usually appears as a yellow powder that is insoluble in water and moderately soluble in strong mineral acids. Cerium oxide is slightly hygroscopic and will absorb small amounts of moisture and CO2 from the atmosphere. Purities are available from 98% (industrial grade) to 99.999% (high purity grade).

Copper Phosphorus (CuP) Alloy is an alloy made from copper being deoxidized with phosphorus. This is the most commonly used deoxidized copper. This master alloy is used as a deoxidant and alloying agent in the copper industry and also has applications in the aluminum, bronze, and brass industry. Copper is corrosion-resistant, but this property becomes enhanced with added phosphor. There is an increase in tensile strength, a reduction in brittleness characteristics, and an improvement in machinability and workability with the phosphorus addition to copper. Reade offers one grade for the aluminum industry and three grades for the copper industry.

Diatomaceous earth, also known as Diatomaceous silica (SiO₂*nH₂O), is the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms that have accumulated, creating silica deposits. DE has high absorption, low bulk density, and high brightness. There are two primary types of diatomaceous earth deposits - saltwater and freshwater. Saltwater DE is commercially processed in the United States and primarily used as a filter aid. Freshwater DE is ideal for agricultural uses because it typically has a low crystalline silica content (amorphous), is highly absorptive, and is an ancient pest control agent. As awareness of and concern about chemical pesticides grow, diatomaceous earth has increased interest as a non-toxic and natural alternative. It is also seen as a natural anti-parasitic by farmers and ranchers.

Forsterite is a crystalline Magnesium Silicate (Mg₂(SiO₄) that is a member of the Olivine Group. It is an excellent birefringent material with a wide transparency range that has extremely low electrical conductivity and superior mechanical properties. It is calcined and milled under controlled conditions and can be modified to meet priority specifications. Synthetic forsterite is available, and it has as high an iron content (<11%) as Fayalite.

Garnet is an industrial gemstone comprised of a group of silicate minerals that are common rock-forming minerals in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types, with high hardness and density. Garnets are a “heavy mineral” derived from either Almandite or Andradite deposits. READE can offer a domestically mined garnet from New York.

Recycled glass powder is waste glass turned into usable products and contains less than 1% free silica.

Recycled glass blasting media has been successfully substituted for silica sand and other blasting media in shipyard trials, other construction projects, and equipment cleaning under MIL-A-22262B(SH), Amendment-2.

Mg-AL Alloys with high amounts of magnesium (around 50%) are brittle and more susceptible to corrosion than aluminum making them unsuitable for most engineering uses. These alloys are flammable when powdered, are more resistant to corrosion than pure magnesium, and are more reactive than pure aluminum, making them useful for pyrotechnics as a metal fuel and to produce sparks. The brittleness of the alloy makes it easily broken by a hammer and ground into usable powder, which is beneficial for pyrotechnics. Magnesium Aluminum powder is a silver-gray solid metallic powder.

Magnesium (Mg) Powder is a light, moderately hard, silvery-white metal that ignites easily in the air and burns with a bright light. It is strong, has good heat dissipation and dampening, and is easy to weld, forge, cast or machine. It can improve the mechanical, fabrication, and welding characteristics when used as an alloying agent since it has a low density and is the lightest structural metal (a third lighter than aluminum). It also has good electrical properties. Purity: 99.95% ("ultra-pure" magnesium) 99.8% ("pure" magnesium) 99.7% or less (alloyed magnesium)

Pumice, amorphous aluminum silicate, is a very light colored, frothy volcanic rock that is formed from lava full of gas. It is very light and can float on water. Pumice is amorphous and is generally inert with a neutral pH. Due to its porous nature, pumice is amazingly lightweight. However, it is easily crushed and refined without losing its utility at any grade. Pumice is a sustainable and abundant resource.

Saponite clay nanoparticles are nanometer-sized clay particles of minerals of the montmorillonite (smectite) group. Nanoparticles have a high surface area, surface acidity, and cation exchange capacity and swell in water. These characteristics make them very versatile to help improve surface integrity and composites' mechanical and thermal properties, adjust the consistency of industrial liquid products and serve as vehicles for drug delivery. Purity: >99%

This is a synthetically produced Sapphire. Single crystal Sapphire has a high thermal conductivity, volume resistivity, hardness and wear resistance, and a high upper-use temperature. The energy band gap is large (10eV). Sapphire is a transparent material with a useful wavelength transmission of 0.2 to 5.5 microns. It is much stronger than glass and can be used to view windows in high-pressure and vacuum applications. It employs transparency and extraordinary scratch resistance to glass. Purity: 99.9%

Silica Gel is an amorphous and porous form of silicon dioxide. It is a rigid 3D network of colloidal silica whose voids may contain liquid or gas. Silica gel is classified as aquagel (pores are filled with water), xerogel (by evaporation, the aqueous phase in the pores is removed), and aerogel (solvent removed by supercritical extraction).

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a hard, covalently bonded light grey solid that is nearly as hard as diamond. It is a refractory material (high melting point) with excellent thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion. It displays good thermal shock resistance, corrosion resistance, and stiffness. Silicon carbide is a semiconductor.

Sillimanite (Al₂SiO₅) is an aluminosilicate mineral.

Smectite, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate products are water-washed smectite clays that serve as suspension stabilizers, emulsion optimizers, and rheology modifiers. The powder is light tan.

How hydraulic, automotive, and aerospace application components perform when exposed to particles of sand and dust is essential during use as well as lifetime durability and performance. Sand and dust test standards address environmental conditions that materials and products may face during operation so contamination by solid particles can be controlled. These standard reference materials have been designed to improve precision and accuracy in particle counting.

Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicate minerals that contain exchangeable alkali and alkaline metals. They can be natural or synthetic. They are characterized by a framework structure that encloses interconnected cavities occupied by ion-exchangeable large metal cations and water molecules, permitting ion exchange and reversible dehydration.

They have pore structures, which create large effective surface areas, which gives them superior adsorptive and filtration qualities. They also have adjustable acidities, are thermally stable, and are reusable, making them active in various reactions.

Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI / NZVI / EZVI) is a form of elemental iron that reduces inorganic ions in water because ZVI is fairly reactive in water and can serve as an excellent electron donor. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been successfully used for the degradation of a wide range of organic contaminants in groundwaters in recent years, including selenium (Se), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg), and many other pollutants. The rate of degradation of contaminants may be enhanced by the use of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles which possess higher surface area than the more widely used granular materials. nZVI can also be used to create Emulsified Zero-valent Iron for groundwater treatment.

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) is an extremely hard refractory ceramic material that is a gray metallic powder with a cubic crystal structure. It has good high-temperature mechanical properties, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, a high melting point, and strong chemical resistance. Under irradiation, it demonstrates low neutron absorption cross-section and weak damage sensitivity. Various standard granulations are available below 106 microns. Purities: 99.0% & 99.5%

Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), or zirconium diboride, is a hard, gray powder that melts at 3246°C and is classified as an ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC). It has a relatively low density of ~6.09 g/cm3 (dependent on hafnium impurity), good high-temperature strength and hardness, relatively high thermal and electrical conductivities, and strong neutron control ability. ZrB₂ is toxic.