Bauxite is the ore from which alum is drawn. It is formed by the rapid weathering of granite rocks in warm, humid climates and can be purified and converted directly into alum.
Potassium alum is soluble in seven times its weight of
water at room temperature and is very soluble in hot water. When crystalline
potassium alum is heated, some of the water of hydration becomes chemically
separated, and the partly dehydrated salt dissolves in this water, so that
the alum appears to melt at about 90 degrees C (approx. 194 degrees F).
When heated to 200 degrees C (approx. 392 degrees F), potassium alum swells
up, loses all water, and becomes a basic salt called burnt alum. Potassium
alum has a density of
1.725.
Alums are used for a variety of uses including as a powerful astringent.
If an aluminum compound, such as aluminum chlorhydrate or aluminum zirconium, which is very soluble, is used as on antiperspirant, that compound is readily absorbed. Once in the body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free or radical aluminum(AL+±±). This ion passes freely across cell membranes, and forms a physical plug, that when dissolved is selectively absorbed by the liver, kidney, brain, cartilage and bone morrow. It is this concentration of aluminum that has been the source for concern in the medical community and has prompted the research being done on ALZIHEIMER'S DISEASE and BREAST CANCER victims. Potassium alum, on the other hand has a negative ionic charge, making it unable to penetrate the cell wall. This is why our products work as a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. THEY ARE NOT ABSORBED. This is why our deodorants are safe and DO NOT CONTAIN ALUMiNUM CHLORHYDRATE or ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM.