Effects of Li replacement on the nucleation, crystallization and microstructure of Li2O–Al2O3–SiO2 glass

The Li replacement including the Li2O replaced by other oxides and the expensive Li2CO3 replaced by low-cost spodumene mineral was studied to lower the product cost of (Li2O–Al2O3–SiO2, LAS) glass ceramic, and the effects of Li replacement on the nucleation, crystallization and microstructure of LAS glass were investigated by the differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that Li2O replacement increases the crystallization activation energy, lowers the crystal growth, and increases the nucleation and crystallization temperature by restraining the formation of crystalline phases. The Li2CO3 replacement decreases the crystallization activation energy, promotes the crystal growth, without affecting the nucleation, and lowers the crystallization temperature by adding some beneficial compositions with mixed alkali effect.