Alpha-alumina crystallites

The most common technique used to prepare the /i-type (i.e., or / ") alumina is to mechanically blend the component oxides or precursor compounds in powder form prior to a calcination or prereaction step at temperatures between 1000 and 1260°CT Commercially available aluminum oxide powders (0.3-0.5 pm average crystallite size) in the alpha (corundum) polymorph are typically usedT They are derived from three common sources decomposition of gibbsite [Al(OH)3], which is precipitated from soda liquors in the Bayer process preparation and decomposition of alum salts and preparation from aluminum chloride precursors NaaCOs is usually the source of Na20. Sources of Li20 have included Li2C03, LiNOs, and Li2C204- MgO is usually added as the commercially available oxide. 

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