Crystallization Behaviour of Zirconia Substituted Lithia-Alumina-Silica Glasses

The crystallization behaviour of lithia-alumina-silica glasses with 0–19 wt% zirconia was studied by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The principal crystalline phases were identified as lithium metasilicate and cubic or tetragonal zirconia, as also a lithium aluminium silicate (β-spodumene). The addition of zirconia to the glass changed the crystallization behaviour and transition temperature of the glasses.