礬 (fán) - Alum — a double sulfate salt of aluminum

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Alum — a double sulfate salt of aluminum and potassium, used historically in dyeing, medicine, and water purification.

Alum — a double sulfate salt of aluminum

Usage highlights

AlumAlum stoneAlum mineralAlum waterAlum processingAlum factory

Synonyms

  • 明矾— potassium alum (most common form)
  • 白矾— white alum (purified form)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The water treatment plant uses alum for purification (明矾净水).
  • Alum is used in traditional Chinese medicine (中药白矾).
  • This mineral specimen contains natural alum (天然矾石).
  • Alum helps set dyes in fabric (矾在染色中定色).

Collocations

  • Alum(明矾)
  • Alum stone(矾石)
  • Alum mineral(矾矿)
  • Alum water(矾水)
  • Alum processing(矾加工)
  • Alum factory(矾厂)

Idioms

  • Like alum clarifying turbid water(如矾澄浊)
  • Alum dyeing process(矾染工艺)
  • Alum medicinal powder(矾药粉末)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically important in Chinese traditional medicine for its astringent and antiseptic properties.
  • Used in traditional dyeing processes as a mordant to fix colors to fabrics.
  • Mined in specific regions of China, particularly Zhejiang province, for centuries.

FAQ