Characterization of calumite-modified melaphyre glass in terms of mineral fibres and glass-ceramic materials production

Abstract

The possibility of utilizing calumite (BSF) in the glass-ceramic industry was analyzed in this study. The properties of melaphyre glasses modified with 25 % and 50 % of calumite were determined after the post-melting and directional crystallization process. The produced glasses were subjected to microstructural analysis using light LM and scanning electron microscopy SEM. Their chemical composition was determined using XRF spectroscopy. After melting and directional crystallization, the glasses' structural tests were performed using FTIR spectroscopy and XRD phase analysis. The characteristic temperatures and the thermal stability of the glasses were determined with thermal analysis (DTA/TG) and dilatometric tests, which analysis was also valuable to determine the parameters of the directional crystallization process of melaphyre glasses. The results showed that unmodified melaphyre glasses demonstrate a low crystallization ability and do not crystallize even at 900 °C, while incorporating calumite into their composition increases their crystallization ability. The study showed that calumite significantly influences the chemical and structural characteristics of melaphyre glasses, which gives it the chance to be successfully used as a raw material for producing glass crystalline materials or mineral fibres. Notably, the findings underscore the potential utility of calumite as a proficient raw material for fabricating glass crystalline fibrous or insulating materials.