Crystallization of leucite as the main phase in glass doped with fluorine anions

Abstract

The crystallization of a multicomponent glass containing 1.63 wt% of F− anions was studied. The results show in powder glass with particle sizes less than 0.15 mm, that surface crystallization is dominant, whereby two phases: leucite and dioside are formed. In glass powder or particle size about 0.15 mm, three phases, phlogopite, diopside and leucite, are formed, accompanied by an abrupt decrease in the resistance of the glass to crystallization. If the particle sizes are in the range 0.15 to 0.45 mm, both surface and volume crystallization are significant, while with particle sizes >0.45 mm, volume crystallization is dominant. Two nucleation temperatures, Tn1 = 655°C and Tn2 = 675°C, were determined in the temperature range of 600–710°C. These temperatures satisfy the condition that Tn ≥ Tg. Crystallization of bulk glass occurs in the temperature range of Tc = 870–1100°C, the crystal phases appearing in the sequence: phlogopite, followed by diopside, followed by leucite. Kinetical and microstructural studies show that the crystallization process is controlled by volume diffusion.