The preparation and characterisation of lithium metasilicate and γ-lithium aluminate pellets

Lithium metasilicate and γ-lithium aluminate are being examined as potential solid breeder materials for the Next European Torus (NET). At Springfields Laboratory the powders have been prepared by reacting lithium carbonate with the appropriate oxides in the temperature range 600-9000C and compacts made by hot pressing in the same temperature range, a route which enables density and grain size to be accurately controlled. Kinetic measurements have been made on the lithium carbonate/silica and the lithium carbonate/alumina reactions and the powder characteristics have been shown to depend on the characteristics of the initial silica and alumina powders. Hot-pressing characteristics have also been examined and optimised. Physical and mechanical property measurements have been made on both materials and the results are presented and discussed. (author)