The role of MgO on the structural properties of CaO–Na2O(MgO)–P2O5–CaF2–SiO2 derived glass ceramics

The effect of increasing MgO/Na2O replacements (on mole basis) on the crystallization characteristics of glasses based on the CaO–Na2O(MgO)–P2O5–CaF2–SiO2 system were studied by using DTA, XRD, and SEM. The crystallization characteristics of the glasses, the type of crystalline phases formed and the resulting microstructure were investigated. The main crystalline phases formed after controlled heat-treatment of the base glass were diopside, wollastonite solid solution, fluoroapatite and sodium calcium silicate phases. The increase of MgO at the expense of Na2O led to decrease the amount of sodium calcium silicate phase. The Vicker's microhardness values (5837–3362 MPa) of the resulting glass–ceramics were markedly improved by increasing the MgO-content in the glasses. The obtained data were correlated to the nature and concentration of the crystalline phases formed and the resulting microstructure.