Characterization of lithium-aluminate powders in J. O. 909 and J. O. 911

Technical Report · Fri Sep 02 04:00:00 EDT 1966

OSTI ID:7330602

Gurwell, W E

It is concluded from the combined data that all powders of low bulk density were made from unusual aluminum oxide powder, with smaller particle size and somewhat different impurity content. Microstructure of the low bulk density powders reveal agglomerates having a spongy appearance. High bulk density powders have solid particles. Fisher Subsieve analysis confirms the open porosity of the low bulk density powder agglomerates. Low bulk density powders are essentially pure ..gamma..-LiAlO/sub 2/ with about 10 percent free alumina. High bulk density powders had a variable ..cap alpha..-LiAlO/sub 2/ content and somewhat lower free alumina contents. There was a rough correlation between raw powder bulk density and ..cap alpha..-LiAlO/sub 2/ content. Total carbon content ran from 173 to 1363 ppM lower than the 3000 ppM level of the PT-66 powders. Batch weights varied between 330 and 562 pounds, with no visible correlation to powder characteristics. Total Li content was generally held to within 0.3 percent of 10.0. An overall average vendor performance was 9.99 percent Li (21 powder batches, analyses from vendor and Battelle averaged). Vendors loss on ignition figure was low, less than 0.3 percent in all cases but three. This probably represents a little better job of calcining and/or prompt analysis of the powder before moisture pickup becomes appreciable. Vendor sieve analyses reported 6 to 21 percent larger than 100 mesh (149) micron opening). Microscopic examination confirmed that the apparent particle size distribution does not vary perceptibly from batch to batch. No deliquescent particles were found. These variations make it very difficult to predict the processing behavior of powders in different batches, especially with the low bulk density powders. Recommendations are given for remedying this. (DLC)

• Research Organization: United Nuclear Industries, Inc., Richland, Wash. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7330602
• Report Number(s): RL-GEN-1142(W/Del)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALLOYS
ALUMINATES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON ADDITIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DENSITY
IMPURITIES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
MICROSTRUCTURE
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWDERS
PRODUCTION REACTORS
REACTORS
SIZE
TARGETS