Crystallization Kinetics of a Complex Lithium Silicate Glass-Ceramic

Volume crystallization of this glass is nucleated by Li3PO4. On heating from room temperature, Li2SiO3 appears around 650°C and then converts to Li2Si2O5 around 850°C by reaction with SiO2 from the melt. Preheating the glass at 1000°C forms larger Li3PO4 nuclei that promote additional crystallization of cristobalite in the 650° to 850°C range. Crystallization activation energies calculated from scan‐rate dependence of DTA peaks are 270 kJ/mol for Li2SiO3 and 360 to 570 kJ/mol for Li2Si2O5.