Sintering and crystallization of akermanite-based glass–ceramics

Akermanite-based glass–ceramics were successfully produced from the SiO2–Al2O3–B2O3–MgO–CaO–Na2O–F system via sintering and crystallization of glass-powder compacts at low temperatures between 750 and 800 °C. The experimental results indicated that the amount of Al2O3 in the parent glass composition is seemingly a key factor with regard to the potential of this system to crystallize into a mono-mineral akermanite glass–ceramic. The aesthetics and the mechanical, the chemical and the thermal properties of the produced glass–ceramics in conjunction with the evaluation of the economic processing route proposed qualify these glass–ceramics for further investigation as potential materials suitable for applications in restorative dentistry.