Perlite-Based Nanostructured Glass-Ceramic: Preparation and Investigation

Perlite, an inexpensive mineral raw material, served as a base to synthesize an opaque glass-crystalline material containing in the bulk nanosized wollastonite and gehlenite crystals of average size 100 nm. The phase composition, microstructure, and strength properties of the material were investigated. Changes effected in the composition and size of the crystal grains by varying the amount of catalyst and silica content in the initial mixtures make it possible to control the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting material. High strength and high hardness make it possible to use this material for protection against high-velocity impacts, including bullets from firearms.