Microstructure of Transparent Strontium Fresnoite Glass-Ceramics

Glass-ceramics grown from a glass of the composition Sr2TiSi2.45O8.9 (STS 45) are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Oriented nucleation with the c-axes preferably perpendicular to the surface is detected. A very strong 001-texture is observed after only 10 mu m of growth into the bulk, making this the first system in which an orientation preferred during nucleation prevails during growth into the bulk in glass-ceramics. Piezoelectric measurements are performed and d(33)-values presented and discussed. The obtained results are critically viewed with respect to the two growth models describing Sr2TiSi2O8 growth in glasses.