Programme 3 Patent Holdings

Sikha Ray

Arnold Van Zyl

A method of making a .beta.-alumina compound which is a polyaluminate of the general formula M.sub.y O.multidot.xAl.sub.2 O.sub.3 in which M is a metal selected from monovalent metals and divalent metals, y=2 when M is a monovalent metal, y=1 when M is a divalent metal and x=4-12 comprises forming a green precursor of the 62 -alumina compound by mixing together particulate aluminium metal and a reagent compound comprising an oxide of the metal M or a precursor thereof. The mixture is heated to 800.degree.-1150.degree. C. in an oxidizing environment to cause oxidation of at least part of the aluminium. Further heating then takes place to 1150.degree.-1350.degree. C. in said environment to cause the oxidized aluminium and oxide of the metal M to react to form the .beta.-alumina compound.

Growing community of inventors

Ulm, Germany

Sikha Ray