Growth, structural and microhardness studies of KSb₂F₇ and KSb₄F₁₃ crystals

820-824Interest in fluoro antimonate crystals have been increased for the last four decades due its super ionic conduction and its unusual electro-optic properties. Optically clear single crystals of KSb2F7 and KSb4F13 were grown by slow evaporation method. Powder X-ray diffraction method has been used for structural identification. The microhardness study shows that hardness steadily increases, then decreases for higher loads. Work hardening coefficient indicates that the grown crystals are moderately softer. Variation of stiffness constant with load for the given crystals has been studied