The crystallization mechanism of high-cordierite glass

The crystallization mechanism of high-cordierite (2MgO·2Al2O3·5SiO2) from a bulkglass containing B2O3 and P2O5 as nucleating agents was studied using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and a polarizing microscope. Thin glass specimens, with a mirror surface, were heated rapidly in an electric furnace in the temperature range 888 to 1363° C for a desired time and then rapidly quenched to room temperature. The normal rate of growth of precipitated cordierite crystals was measured and their morphological change was observed photographically. The growth rate increased with temperature, and the maximum rate occurred at about 1250° C. The crystal morphology was hexagonalprismatic, elongated along thec-axis. Faceted interface morphology was observed when the range of undercooling was from 7 to 174° C. Judging from the relationship between the reduced growth rate and the degree of undercooling, the crystallization mechanism in the range of lower undercooling was governed by a layer growth depending on the surface nucleation mechanism. In the range of higher undercooling, continuous growth was seen and at intermediate undercooling a transition range from a layer growth to a continuous growth was evident.