Aluminium Induced Sub-Microsized α-Al2O3 Platelets in the Soda-Lime-Silica Glass

Abstract

α-Al2O3platelets were prepared in the interface of Na2O-CaO-SiO2glass induced by Al. The morphology of the platelets was observed by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). The platelets are irregularly shaped at 720°C for 30mins and share mean thickness of 200nm. EDS shows that the platelets are rich in Si, reasonably due to the formation of Al-Si eutectic. At 1200°C, the prepared platelets have mean diameters between 400nm and 1000nm, most of which are aggregated and part through intergrowth. The crystals develop from the glass and can form good moistening with the glass matrix.