Patent Number: 055454275
Section: abstract

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of lithium aluminosilicate or gamma lithium aluminate ceramics having a controlled microstructure and stoichiometry.. According to this process, mixing takes place accompanied by stirring in a short chain anhydrous alcohol of an unpolymerized liquid aluminium alkoxide and optionally a silicon alkoxide with a hydrated or unhydrated lithium hydroxide, followed by the addition of water in order to hydrolyze the mixture and obtain, after drying, beta LiAlO.sub.2 powder.. This powder can be directly compacted and then sintered at temperatures of 800.degree. to 1150.degree. C. without prior calcination giving a gamma lithium aluminate ceramic with a controlled stoichiometry and microstructure (grains of 0.1 to 10 .mu.m).