Crystallization, structure and characterization of MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-P2O5 transparent glass-ceramics with high crystallinity

Highly crystallinity transparent glass-ceramics based on MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-P2O5 system have been prepared by conventional melt-quenching and “two-step” crystallization method. The crystallization kinetics, phase evolution, structure, physical and light transmittance properties of glass-ceramics were studied. The results reveal that the crystallization mechanism of this glass is believed to be three-dimensional interfacial growth. The predominant crystalline phase is Mg2Al4Si5O18 in these glass-ceramics, and the content of crystalline phase becomes higher with rising of crystallization temperature and time, which the light transmittance of glass-ceramics decreases. It is observed that the main elements are uniformly distributed in glass-ceramics from EDS element distribution maps. All things considered, the optimal heat treatment schedule of parent glass is 840 °C/36 h + 1050 °C/3 h, the prepared glass-ceramics possesses high crystallinity (90.5 vol%), good light transmittance (85%) and excellent mechanical and thermal properties. These findings make this family of transparent glass-ceramics showing potential applications in solid-state optical functional material.