Effect of Sintering on Crystallization and Structural Properties of Soda Lime Silica Glass

Abstract

The effect of sintering temperatures on crystallization and structural of the soda lime silica (SLS) glass was reported. Elemental weight composition of the SLS glass powder was identified through Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis while the thermal behavior of the glass was determined using Differential thermal analysis (DTA) technique. Archimedes’ method and direct geometric measurement were respectively used to determine bulk density and linear shrinkage of the glass samples. Crystallisation behavior of the samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and chemical bonds present in the samples were measured using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results showed an increase in the density and linear shrinkage of the samples as a function of the sintering temperature. The XRD analysis revealed the formation of α-quartz (SiO2) and a minor amount of devitrite phases in the samples and these were further verified through the detection of chemical bonds by FTIR after sintering at 800ºC. The properties of the glass-ceramics can be explained on the basis of crystal chemistry which indicated that the alkali ions formed as carriers in the random network structure and can be recommended for the manufacture of glass fiber or toughened glass-ceramic insulators.