Diopside marble-like sintered glass-ceramics

Experimental results on the synthesis of a new marble-like glass-ceramic material to be used for wall covering are given. The material is prepared by sintering and surface-induced crystallization of a precursor frit. In contrast to usual glass-ceramic materials similar to natural marbles and granites, where the major crystalline phase is β-wollastonite (CaO.SiO 2 ), in the new material diopside (CaO.MgO.2SiO 2 ) is formed. Due to the enhanced crystallization ability of the initial glasses, the duration of the heat treatment needed for the synthesis of the new materials can be considerably reduced