40d Talk:Bauxite

Aluminium source?

Doesn't Bauxite contain Aluminum Oxide? That means we should be able to somehow get Aluminum out of it. Unless the historical aspect of the game means that the dwarves do not have thhe technology to do high-temperature electrolysis. Aluminus 16:47, 18 July 2008 (EDT)

Look at Toady's comment in the raw file about bauxite ;) VengefulDonut 00:31, 20 July 2008 (EDT)

Specifically, for those two lazy or don't know where the raws are:

[karl@localhost objects]$ cat matgloss_stone_mineral.txt | grep -i baux
bauxite melts around 2000C, so it's not practical to smelt it for aluminum (magma only goes up to
  1300-1400)
[MATGLOSS_STONE:BAUXITE]
[NAME:bauxite][COLOR:4:7:0][TILE:'+']

Spoggerific 02:55, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

Electrolysis is used to seperate the atoms in good old Real Life. I suppose this could be implemented in the alchemist's lab (cos sometimes soap just isn't enough for those crazy scientists), but it could (and probably would have to by popular demand) branch out into a whole new game mechanic for electricity.--Warlordzephyr 15:54, 4 March 2009 (EST)

I'm seeing some kinda metal tower setup as a lightning rod which is run down to massive "Baghdad batteries" carved from the earth; then that electricity can be used to power a massive arc furnace/Hammerer-removal-device! --Geofferic 02:54, 20 July 2009 (UTC)

Given the in-game value of aluminum (same material value as platinum, at a fraction of the weight) and its rarity (small clusters), allowing it to be extracted from bauxite would probably be game-breaking. --Quietust 13:15, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

If done with the right slant on the real process, it could balance out- the production of Aluminum from Bauxite uses tremendous amounts of electricity, requires an exotic flux material, and produces large quantities of toxic byproducts. That lightning tower, for example, could only operate during a rainstorm; you'd probably only manage to smelt a dozen bars each year that way. And no double-dipping: lightning would only strike one tower at a time. --Strain Of Thought

"Only in volcanic areas"?

I've found bauxite surrounding a magma pipe. So what exactly does the assertion on the main page mean? It can't be found in volcanic mountain areas? --DDouble 16:56, 11 August 2008 (EDT)

That such is quite a rare find, was your magma pipe surrounded by the bauxite directly?--Stalinbulldog 01:21, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

bauxite is found in sedimentary, but is not particularly rare or common near features like magma, water, and chasms.

you got lucky--Eerr 02:19, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

Embarking?

I scanned over the "EMBARK" menu in "Stone", "Metal Bars", and "Stone Blocks" and cannot find Bauxite for picking.

<Quote>You can also plan ahead and buy some before embarking. Just be sure to keep your mason away from them until you turn them into mechanisms; forbid them until you are ready, if need be.</Quote>

As such I have removed the suggestion to embark with it from this page.Kenji 03 12:34, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

• It may be conditional depending on your area - I've brought bauxite with me on embark before. --Quietust 14:00, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

You are correct, it is conditional. I just started a new fortress in an entirely different area than I usually settle and I was able to buy it. Kenji 03 15:24, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Availability of embark materials depends on what your dwarven civ has. VengefulDonut 22:35, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

Best usage on magma-free map

Is there anything specific I should use my bauxite for if I don't have magma?Garrie 04:37, 6 September 2009 (UTC)

• If you don't have magma, then just use it as you would any other red stone. --Quietust 05:32, 6 September 2009 (UTC)