Development of glass ceramics in China

Abstract

A historical review of glas ceramics in China is given. Glass ceramics in the systems including Li 2OAl 2O 3SiO 2, BaOAl 2O 3SiO 2, MgOAl 2O 3SiO 2, CaOMgOAl 2O 3SiO 2, ZnOAl 2O 3SiO 2, Na 2OAl 2O 3SiO 2, R 2OCaOMgOAl 2O 3SiO 2, LiO 2K 2OMgOAl 2O 3SiO 2F, CaOP 2O 5, etc. were investigated by many Chinese scientists. As a result, the progress of modern techniques and engineering was promoted. The mechanism of crystallization, the internal friction change in crystallization, and the relationship between phase separation and crystallization, were also attended to in order to approach the theoretical rule in different production processes. Various articles of glass ceramics were manufactured. The properties and applications of two different glass ceramics, fluoro-lepidolite glass ceramics and PbTiO 3-based ferroelectric glass ceramics, were introduced. The author investigated the current situation of research work concerned with the comprehensive utilization of minerals in glass ceramics making. Lepidolite-based glass ceramics is a modern material which was prepared by using refined lithium mica as the major raw material. The physico-chemical properties were described and the unique machinable properties were discussed. In another case, a new type of piezoelectric and pyroelectric material made from glass ceramics was reported. According to the properties, it shows that the material which is comparable to corresponding ceramics open positive prospects concerning future applications. It is predicted that the investigation of inorganic composites related to glass ceramics may be of great significance in the future.