Sintering and crystallisation of vanadium doped CaO–ZrO2–SiO2 glass-ceramics

The effect of addition of V2O5 on densification and crystallisation of glass powder compacts in the system CaO–ZrO2–SiO2 has been investigated. A well crystallized material of relatively high density (95% of theoretical density) was obtained after sintering at 900 °C for 1 h by adding 5 mol% V2O5. Crystalline phases identified were wollastonite, calcium zirconium silicate and calcium zirconium oxide. The addition of V2O5 was shown to reduce the sintering temperature and also to enhance the electrical conductivity of the base CaO–ZrO2–SiO2 glass-ceramic. Possible applications of the present vanadium containing glass-ceramics are the production of coloured glazes and in coatings and enamels with “anti-static” behaviour.