Microstructural and compositional evolutions in γ-LiAlO2 pellets during ion irradiation at an elevated temperature

•At a low dose, planar defects are produced in γ-LiAlO2 pellets at 773 K.•Non-stoichiometric LiAl5O8 precipitates and gas-filled cavities form and grow with increasing dose.•Compositional changes in the irradiated γ-LiAlO2 pellets are observed, including a significant Li loss.•At high doses, full amorphization occurs and micron-sized fractures appear.•Surface exfoliation could take place at an extremely high dose.