Crystallization and Microstructure of Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 Glass-ceramics Produced with Environmentally Acceptable Fining Agents

Lithium aluminosilicate(LAS) glass-ceramics with a few gas bubbles were prepared when SnO2, V2O5 and CeO2 were used as fining agents. The effect of the complex fining agent on the crystallization, phase compositions and microstructure of LAS glass–ceramics was investigated by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that the introduction of fining agents promotes the crystallization at a lower temperature and has little effect on the compositions of main crystalline phase and microstructure when the crystalline phase remains β-quartz. The special colors of LAS glass-ceramics can be obtained by controlling the crystallization temperature and the amounts of V2O5 and CeO2. The complex fining agent is an environmentally friendly alternative to toxic As2O3 and can be also used as a colorant for colored LAS glass-ceramics.