Synthesis and characterization of MgSiO3-containing glass-ceramics

Three glass compositions, aiming at producing Mg-metasilicate (MgSiO3) based glass-ceramics, were investigated. The composition with 25 mol% diopside and 75 mol% enstatite (Ca0.125Mg0.875SiO3), considered as the starting point, aimed to reduce the tendency of Mg-metasilicate for polymorphism. In the two derivative compositions, substitutions of yttrium and barium for magnesium as well as boron for silicon were attempted. Glasses in both bulk and frit forms were produced by melting in alumina crucibles at 1600 °C for 1–2 h. Sintering and crystallization of glass-powder compacts were carried out at different temperatures in the range of 850–1000 °C. The influence of these substitutions on the crystallization process of the glasses and the properties of the resultant glass-ceramics was experimentally determined and discussed in the light of the potential of these compositions in applications of advanced technology.