Abstract
Based on local raw materials, a range of LiZnMg aluminosilicate glasses were prepared to investigate the influence of TiO
2, Cr
2O
3, and ZrO
2 on the crystallization behaviour and thermal expansion characteristics. Differential thermal analysis showed that the crystallization propensity increases in the order TiO
2
>
Cr
2O
3
>
ZrO
2. Virgilite, β-spodumene ss, gahnite, enstatite and cristobalite were formed in the prepared glass-ceramics. The microstructure of glass-ceramic samples showed growths of rounded and subrounded grains in the base sample, whereas, somewhat rod-like and accumulated growths appeared in samples containing ZrO
2. However, a rather homogeneous texture of accumulated growths was developed in glass-ceramics containing TiO
2 and Cr
2O
3. The coefficient of thermal expansion of parent glasses was sensitive to the type of nucleating agent added (Cr
2O
3
>
TiO
2
>
ZrO
2) varying from 24.8
×
10
−7 to 65.1
×
10
−7
°C
−1 being almost unchanged with the heat-treatment. The microhardness values of glass-ceramic samples were in the 763–779
kg/mm
2 range.