cryolite

American  

[krahy-uh-lahyt] / ˈkraɪ əˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a mineral, sodium aluminum fluoride, Na 3 AlF 6 , occurring in white masses, used as a flux in the electrolytic production of aluminum.

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cryolite British  

/ ˈkraɪəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a white or colourless mineral consisting of a fluoride of sodium and aluminium in monoclinic crystalline form: used in the production of aluminium, glass, and enamel. Formula: Na 3 AlF 6

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Etymology

Origin of cryolite

First recorded in 1795–1805; cryo- + -lite

Example Sentences

A pivotal moment in that championship bout came when Shin’s opponent played “kyrolite,” which is not legal, instead of “kryolite,” an alternate spelling of the mineral cryolite.

From Washington Post • Aug. 1, 2022

The electrolysis of a solution of cryolite and calcium fluoride results in aluminum metal at the cathode, and oxygen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide at the anode.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Heating the hydroxide produces aluminum oxide, Al2O3, which dissolves in a molten mixture of cryolite, Na3AlF6, and calcium fluoride, CaF2.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Greenland's only industrial asset is a cryolite mine, run by Danes.

From Time Magazine Archive

This metal cannot be produced by direct electrolysis in aqueous solution, but is deposited electrolytically from a fused bath of cryolite, containing alumina in solution.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 2: Ebert to Estremadura by Various