Fabrication of Al-LiAlO2 metal matrix composites and crystalline γ-LiAlO2

We report the synthesis of nano-structured LiAlO2 network in an Al-based metal matrix composite (MMC) by sintering a powder compact of Al-15 wt.%Li2O. The morphology of the in situ formed network in the Al matrix was similar in all the samples prepared at temperatures between 300 degrees C and the arc-melting temperature. However, it was found that the LiAlO2 was initially amorphous when the MMC sample was prepared at temperatures below similar to 700 degrees C, but it would be completely converted to crystalline gamma-phase LiAlO2 by sintering at 1000 degrees C. The MMCs had made nano-porous by removing the Al matrix with NaOH solution. The sizes of pores were determined to be about 130-230 nm and the width of the branches of the gamma-phase lithium aluminate (gamma-LiAlO2) network were about 50-100 nm. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.