Lithium Disilicate Glass-Ceramics by Heat Treatment of Lithium Metasilicate Glass-Ceramics Obtained by Hot Pressing

Lithium disilicate glass‐ceramics are widely used as dental ceramics due to their machinability and translucency. In this study, lithium disilicate glass‐ceramic was fabricated through heat treatment of lithium metasilicate glass‐ceramics obtained by hot pressing of glass powder composed of SiO2–Li2O–P2O5–ZrO2–Al2O3–K2O–CeO2 at low temperature. The crystalline phase, microstructure, and mechanical properties were investigated. The results indicated that lithium metasilicate glass‐ceramic with a relative density of higher than 99% was obtained after hot pressing, and glass‐ceramic with interlocked rod‐like Li2Si2O5 crystals and good flexural strength (338 ± 20 MPa) was successfully obtained through heat treatment. The two‐step method was believed to be feasible in tailoring the microstructure and mechanical properties of lithium disilicate glass‐ceramics.