Structure and performance of glass–ceramics obtained by Bayan Obo tailing and fly ash

Glass in the CaO–Al2O3–MgO–SiO2 quaternary phase system has been obtained by the Bayan Obo tailing and fly ash as main raw materials. On the basis of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses, this article took the glass and glass–ceramic samples which the Bayan Obo tailing and fly ash added respectively to 50% and 20% as the object of study. Nucleation experiment was carried out at 720 °C for 2 h whereas crystallization experiment was performed at 880 °C for 2 h. The phases and microstructure of glass and glass–ceramic samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). In addition, physical and mechanical properties of the produced glass–ceramics have been examined. The results demonstrate that the glass–ceramics have potential for a wide range of construction application.