Crystallization characteristics of iron-rich glass ceramics prepared from nickel slag and blast furnace slag

The crystallization process of iron-rich glass-ceramics prepared from the mixture of nickel slag(NS) and blast furnace slag(BFS) with a small amount of quartz sand was investigated.A modified melting method which was more energy-saving than the traditional methods was used to control the crystallization process.The results show that the iron-rich system has much lower melting temperature,glass transition temperature(Tg),and glass crystallization temperature(Tc),which can result in a further energy-saving process.The results also show that the system has a quick but controllable crystallization process with its peak crystallization temperature at 918°C.The crystallization of augite crystals begins from the edge of the sample and invades into the whole sample.The crystallization process can be completed in a few minutes.A distinct boundary between the crystallized part and the non-crystallized part exists during the process.In the non-crystallized part showing a black colour,some sphere-shaped augite crystals already exist in the glass matrix before samples are heated to Tc.In the crystallized part showing a khaki colour,a compact structure is formed by augite crystals.