Phase transformation and microstructure of MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system glass–ceramics under different heat treatment conditions

Abstract

Effects of heat treatment conditions on phase transformation, microstructure and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) in MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system glass–ceramics were investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The magnesium aluminium titanate (MAT) precipitated firstly at 850°C and β-quartz solutions (β-QSS) formed at 950°C. Further increasing temperature to 1000°C, MAT disappeared and β-QSS became master phase, following little amount of α-cordierite, MgTi2O5, rutile and sapphirine. When glass was treated at 1050°C, β-QSS content decreased and α-cordierite became master phase. As temperature reached higher than 1100°C, β-QSS and sapphirine disappeared, and α-cordierite became master phase accompany with rutile and MgTi2O5 as secondary phase. The microstructure transformed gradually from particle shape crystallites to slat shape network with the increase in heat treatment temperature. By controlling heat treatment condition, an ideal glass–ceramics with proper TEC for matching sealing to 4J29 alloy has been obtained.