Influence investigation of CaF2 on the LAS based glass-ceramics and the glass-ceramic/diamond composites

Effects of CaF2 on the LAS based glass-ceramics and glass-ceramic/diamond composites have been systematically researched. Structure of glass-ceramics was analyzed by XRD and FTIR. And thermal analysis of glass-ceramics was made by TG-DSC and thermal expansion curves. SEM images showed the micro-morphology and structure of the crystals precipitated and the composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were characterized by bending strength and Rockwell hardness. The experiment confirmed the best sintering procedure. Results showed that the addition of CaF2 benefited the glass crystallization and composites mechanical properties. When the content of CaF2 reached 7 wt.%, the nucleation temperature of the glass-ceramic reduced 9 °C and the bending strength and Rockwell hardness of the glass-ceramic/diamond composites improved 27.68% and 29.08%, respectively.