Effects of Alumina on Devitrification Kinetics and Mechanism of K2O–CaO–SrO–BaO–B2O3–SiO2 Glass

Abstract

Effects of alumina on the devitrification kinetics and mechanism of a low-dielectric K2O–CaO–SrO–BaO–B2O3–SiO2 glass powder have been investigated. Crystalline phases including cristobalite (SiO2) and pseudowollastonite [(Ca, Ba, Sr)SiO3] are formed during the firing of the pure glass. With added alumina content greater than a critical value, e.g., 10–20 vol% at 900–1000°C, the above crystalline phases are completely prevented but anorthite [(Ca, Sr, Ba)Al2Si2O8] is formed. This result is attributed to the dissolution of alumina into the glass. The dissolution changes the composition of the glass to become aluminum-rich, and the dissolution kinetics of alumina into the glass is far too rapid compared with the formation of cristobalite and pseudowollastonite. The crystallization kinetics of anorthite follows the analysis of the Avrami equations, and the results show an apparent activation energy close to that of the Al–O bond strength, suggesting a reaction-controlled kinetics.