TRANSPARENT GLASS-CERAMICS

Glass-ceramic materials may transmit visible light if either of the following conditions are operative: (i) the crystallites of all species are much smaller than the wavelength of visible light, or (ii) the optical anisotropy (birefringence) within the crystals and refractive index difference between crystals and glass are very small. These conditions are achieved in several aluminosilicate glass-ceramic systems. Solid solutions (ss) of β-quartz, spinel, and mullite are the major crystalline phases in these transparent glass-ceramics. The transparent β-quartz solid solution glass-ceramics can be divided into three areas: ultra-low expansion materials, refractory and colourless materials, and high electrical resistivity-low dielectric loss materials. These three material groups, though chemically distinct, are all characterised by high crystallinity, thermal shock resistance, excellent chemical durability, and susceptibility to mechanical strengthening by ion-exchange techniques. The transparent spinel and mullite glass-ceramics contain considerable glassy phase, but nevertheless are characterised by excellent transparency, even after thermal exposure for long periods above 1000° C. © 1969 Chapman and Hall.