https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2023.012
Published: Kem. Ind. 72 (11-12) (2023) 665–678
Paper reference number: KUI-12/2023
Paper type: Review
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Glass-ceramics, 70 Years Since the Discovery

S. Kurajica

Abstract

This year will be the 70th anniversary of the discovery of glass-ceramics. On this occasion, a review paper presenting this material and its progress from discovery to the present day is given. It is explained what glass-ceramic is and pointed out to the growth of interest in this material and its commercial success. The process of preparing glass-ceramics is described, while special attention is paid to the role of nucleating agents and the process of nucleation and growth. Factors that decisively affect the properties of glass-ceramics, such as the crystalline phase, its proportion, the composition of the remaining glass phase and the microstructure, are listed. Owing to the influence of the mentioned factors, it is possible to prepare different types of glass-ceramics, with different crystal phases and morphologies and consequently different properties, suitable for different purposes. The most important systems and types of glass-ceramics are presented, their properties and uses are described and explained. The names of the most important brands of commercial glass-ceramics are also mentioned. In the conclusion, a view of the perspective of this material, glass-ceramic types and areas of application in which the progress is most certain is given.

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Keywords

glass-ceramics, nucleation and growth, crystal phases, microstructure, types of glass-ceramics