Mixtures Of Mg(OH)(2) and gibbsite, mechanically activated by grinding in a planetary ball mill, were heat treated to obtain MgAl2O4 spinel. Mg(OH)(2) is hardly amorphized and dehydrated by a separate grind. However, when Mg(OH)(2) and gibbsite powders are ground together, rapid amorphization of Mg(OH)(2) takes place. The formation of MgAl2O4 spinel was significantly enhanced by the mechanical treatment of mixtures. When the mixtures were ground over 30 minutes, single phase MgAl2O4 can be obtained by heat treatment at 800degreesC for 1h.

Keywords: Mechanical activation, ball-milling, MaAl2O4 spinel.