alumino-, alumin-
(Latin: aluminum [U.S.] and aluminium, [British])
This term was coined in 1812 by its discoverer, the British chemist Sir Humphry Davy, as an alteration of the earlier [1808] New Latin alumium, that was also coined by Sir Davy from alumina, a mineral occurring in nature as corundum plus -ium, a suffix meaning, in this case, "metal").
The variant form aluminium, which is preferred in British usage, also appeared in 1812 as a deliberate alteration of aluminum in order to eliminate confusion because of the partial resemblance to other names of certain elements, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, all of which were coined earlier by Sir Davy.
Source: corundum, bauxite. Use: catalysts, abrasives, manufacture of artificial rubies and sapphires.
Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the lithosphere. It is never found freely but is generally combined with oxygen.
The pure metal is silvery white and light in weight, having a specific gravity of 2.7. One stable isotope (aluminum 47) occurs naturally, and six unstable isotopes are known.
It is used as an abrasive and in laboratory apparatus that must withstand great heat.
The gel is used as an antacid and in a low phosphate diet to prevent the formation of phosphate urinary stones.