Zn–Sr mixing in the Y-sialon glass: Formation, properties and ballistic resistance

•Zn–Sr–Y-sialon glasses were synthesized at relatively low temperature.•Homogenous was confirmed by backscattered electron SEM images and EDX.•IR spectrum was done to find out the basic structural units in these glasses.•Glasses present a high transmittance in visible region up to 84.5%.•Ballistic resistance values of the obtained glasses were calculated and compared.

The Zn–Sr–Y-sialon glasses were prepared by melting batches under N2 atmosphere in a resistance furnace. The differences in compositions between samples that were amorphous, glassy and those that were partly crystalline are clear. FT-IR spectroscopy was done to find out the basic structural units in some of these glasses. The effects of Zn/Sr substitution for Y on the properties such as density, thermal expansion coefficient, glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature, Vickers hardness, bending strength and fracture toughness were discussed. UV–vis transmission spectra of the samples showed that the transmittance of the obtained glasses can reach up to 80% in the visible region. Ballistic resistance represented by Drel value was assessed by physical and mechanical properties including density, hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness. The ballistic resistance values of the obtained oxynitride glasses were calculated and compared.