Characterization of polycrystalline (Na,K)β/β′- alumina ceramics

K β′-alumina is unstable at >1300°C. Mixed alkali β′-alumina has a variable stability depending on the alkali ratio, K⁺]/(Na⁺]+K⁺]). For f(β)<K⁺]/(Na⁺]+K⁺]), the β′-Al₂O₃ phase decomposes to Kβ-Al₂O₃ 0997 0815 V 3 and a solid solution of Na β′-Al₂O₃ and K β′-Al₂O₃. For f(β)=K⁺]/(Na⁺]+K⁺], the ceramic consists of K β-Al₂O₃ and Naβ′-Al₂O₃ and for f(β)>K⁺]/(Na⁺]+K⁺]), the excess Na⁺ after Na β′-Al₂O₃ dissolves in the β phase, giving Na β-Al₂O₃/K β-Al₂O₃ solid solution and Na β′-Al₂O₃. These sequences were confirmed by measuring the dependence of the c-axis lattice parameters of β- and β′-Al₂O₃ phases on the f(β), and the change of these parameters during the ion-exchange of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions.