Processing of Amorphous Calcium Aluminate Powders at < 900°C

Aluminum chelate and calcium nitrate precursors were used to synthesize amorphous calcium aluminate powders by solgel processing at < 900°C. The method of preparation and results of characterization of the gels by thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning Auger microscopy, and single‐point BET analysis are presented. An optimum heat‐treatment schedule consisting of heating the gel to 900°C at 5°C/min and holding for 16 h was developed to produce highly reactive, X‐ray amorphous calcium aluminate powders.