Wiktionary
n. A hydrous aluminium sulfate mineral with formula Al2SO4(OH)4·7(H2O).
Wikipedia
For the igneous rock type "websterite", see websterite. Aluminite is a hydrous aluminium sulfate mineral with formula: AlSO(OH)·7HO. It is an earthy white to gray-white monoclinic mineral which almost never exhibits crystal form. It forms botryoidal to mammillary clay-like masses. It has a very soft Mohs hardness of 1–2 and a specific gravity of 1.66–1.82.
It forms in clay and lignite deposits as an oxidation product of pyrite and marcasite along with aluminium silicates. It also occurs in volcanic sublimates, in native sulfur deposits and rarely in caves. It occurs in association with basaluminite, gibbsite, epsomite, gypsum, celestine, dolomite and goethite.
It was first described in 1807 from Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany and named for its aluminium content. It is also known as alley stone, hallite and websterite (named after Orcadian geologist Thomas Webster).
Aluminite is used by tile and masonry workers to reduce the setting time of mortars.
Usage examples of "aluminite".
When he grabbed for it, she flung it across the room, lassoing the arm of an aluminite chair.
A moment later, while yet the shock wave of the first blast raced outward, and the fuselage of the aircraft followed suit, its aluminite body burning like a petrol-soaked rag in the incredible heat.