Crystal-liquid surface energies from transient nucleation

A new method for the determination of the crystal-liquid surface energy, a, from transient nucleation data is described and applied to lithium disilicate glasses (LS2). The method is based upon the use of experimentally determined induction times, nucleation rates and free energy data in conjunction with the Shneidman expression for transient nucleation. Assuming homogeneous nucleation in LS2 surface energies are obtained directly from this analysis using data from single-stage nucleation experiments. In order to extend the applicable temperature range for this method, two-stage nucleation data are also used. Results indicate an apparent positive temperature coefficient of a. Values of surface energies are used to calculate nucleation rates, which are compared with measurements. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.