Abstract
A homogeneous and stable, amorphous-type, anorthite (CaO $Al_2$$O_3$ $2SiO_2$)powder was synthesized by an organic-inorganic steric entrapment route. Polyvinyl alcohol ( PVA) was used as an organic carrier for the precursor ceramic gel. The PVA content, its degree of polymerization and type of silica sol had a significant influence on the calcination and crystallization behavior of the precursors. For densifiction and crystallization at low temperature, porous and soft, amorphous-type anorthite powder was planetary milled for 20h. The milled powder crystallized to stable anorthite phase and densified to a relative density of 94% below $1000^{\circ}C$. In the development of crystalline phases of the planetary milled powder, omisteinbergite phase was unusually observed at $900^{\circ}C$, and then anorthite was observed at $950^{\circ}C$. The sintered anorthite had a thermal expansion coefficient of $4.6$\times$10^{-6}$ /$^{\circ}C$ and a dielectric constant of 7.5 at 1 MHz. Finally, the anorthite synthesized by the new process is expected to be an useful material for low-firing ceramic substrate.