New Method for Determining the Nucleation and Crystal-growth Rates in Glasses

Abstract

The rates for nucleation (I) and crystal growth (U) for a lithium disilicate (Li2O·2SiO2, LS2) glass were determined, as a function of temperature, using a new differential thermal analysis (DTA) technique. This technique requires in situ nucleation and crystal-growth heat treatment of a small amount of powdered sample inside the DTA apparatus, which then are followed by a DTA scan at a constant heating rate. the I and U values that have been determined at selected temperatures for the LS2 glass are in excellent agreement with those reported in the literature. the technique also has been used to determine the concentration of quenched-in nuclei in LS2 glasses prepared from melts that have been quenched at different rates, which are in reasonable agreement with those estimated from theoretical considerations. This new DTA technique is less tedious, requires a smaller amount of sample, and is at least 10 times faster than the conventional methods that have been used to measure I and U. Also, no special sample preparation, other than simply grinding and screening the glass to a particle size that is suitable for use, is required in this technique, whereas grinding, polishing, or etching is required in conventional methods. the excellent agreement in the I or U values that have been determined for the LS2 glass via the present and conventional methods demonstrates the accuracy, validity, and usefulness of this DTA method for rapid determination of the nucleation and crystal-growth rates in glasses.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Crystallization; Crystals; Glasses; Nucleation

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0002-7820; 1551-2916

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2004 Wiley-Blackwell, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2004

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