Lithium aluminosilicate powder precursors of compositions Li2O:Al2O3:SiO2 as 1:1:2; and 1:1:3.11 were synthesized and sintered by the Spark Plasma Sintering technique. The sintering conditions were adjusted to obtain dense ceramic materials in an attempt to avoid the presence of a glassy phase. XRD and SEM images were employed for composition and microstructure characterization. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the sintered samples was studied down to cryogenic conditions. Rietveld quantification was performed with the use of an external standard. Pure beucryptite of different compositions in dense ceramic bodies was obtained with a negative expansion coefficient.

The authors greatly appreciate the support of the EU for the IP-Nanoker NMP3-CT-2005-515784 in the context of the 6th Framework Program. García-Moreno is working for CSIC under a JAE-Doc contract co-funded by the ESF.

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