In this paper, the sol-gel synthesis and characteristic properties of kalsilite-type alumosilicates (KAlSiO4 and K0.5Na0.5AlSiO4) are reported. The polycrystalline powders were characterized by thermal analysis (TG/DTA), powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Single-phase kalsilite oxides have been obtained after annealing precursor gels for 5 h in the temperature range of 750-850 degrees C. It was demonstrated that crystallinity of the samples slightly depends on the temperature of annealing. From the results obtained, it could be concluded that the KAlSiO4 solids are composed of the volumetric plate-like grains with no regular size (from 5 gm to 30 pm at 750 degrees C and around 5-50 gm at 850 degrees C. Larger crystallites for mixed potassium-sodium kalsilite have formed (from 10 gm to 80 gm at 750 degrees C and > 100 mu m at 850 degrees C in comparison with potassium kalsilite samples). The erosion of obtained dental porcelain samples stored in saliva, beer and Coca-Cola was compared. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.