Now, let's conduct a simple comparison experiment between glass-ceramics and natural stone. We applied ink to both marble and glass-ceramic surfaces and observed what happened. After a short time, the ink on the glass-ceramic was easily wiped away, while the ink remained on the marble. Why does this happen? Natural stones like marble and granite have rough surfaces that can trap dirt, making them more prone to staining. Glass-ceramics, on the other hand, have a smooth, non-porous surface that resists stains effectively.
Marble is primarily made of calcium carbonate, which is sensitive to chemical reactions with water and carbon dioxide in the air. This is why marble buildings can discolor over time. In contrast, glass-ceramics are highly resistant to such reactions, allowing them to maintain their appearance for much longer periods.
Experts highlight two major breakthroughs in this invention: the precise ratio of raw materials and the design of the manufacturing process. The latter is particularly crucial. To produce glass-ceramics, raw materials are carefully measured and melted in a kiln. Once fully melted, the material is poured onto a cold iron plate—a process called quenching. This creates a clear, glass-like substance, known as sintering. Then, the glass is crushed, placed into a mold, and fired again. This second firing allows the atoms to arrange in a regular crystalline structure, transforming the glass into glass-ceramics.
Interestingly, many types of waste soil contain most of the elements needed for glass-ceramics. By using computer analysis to determine the chemical composition of available materials and adding any missing components, the production cost is significantly reduced. Using industrial waste and soil as raw materials not only helps manage waste but also supports environmental protection efforts by turning trash into something valuable.
One of the key advantages of glass-ceramics is its low thermal expansion coefficient, making it ideal for high-tech applications such as laser navigation systems and optical telescopes. In China, the microcrystalline glass used in laser navigation gyroscopes has traditionally been imported. However, recently, Xiamen Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. developed an advanced version that matches the quality of foreign alternatives like German-made glass-ceramics.
Glass-ceramics combine the best properties of glass, ceramics, and natural stone, offering superior performance compared to traditional materials. It’s widely used in building facades, luxury interior designs, and as structural components in mechanical and electrical systems. Additionally, it serves as insulation material, base material for integrated circuits, heat-resistant parts in microwave ovens, and corrosion-resistant components in mining. As a promising material of the 21st century, it has a bright future ahead.
Currently, construction-grade glass-ceramics are produced through sintering without the need for crystal nucleating agents. The basic principle involves the transformation of amorphous glass into a crystalline structure under specific conditions. From a thermodynamic perspective, glass is in a metastable state with higher internal energy than crystals, so it can transition to a crystalline form if given the right conditions. However, during cooling, the viscosity of the molten glass increases rapidly, preventing the formation of crystal nuclei and growth. This kinetic inhibition plays a key role in the production of glass-ceramics. The building-grade version uses a heterogeneous crystallization mechanism without nucleating agents, balancing thermodynamic potential and kinetic effects to create a new, stable material.
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