AN OVERVIEW OF GLASS-CERAMICS .1. DEVELOPMENT AND PRINCIPAL BULK APPLICATIONS

Glass ceramics, prepared by the controlled devitrification of glasses, have become established in a wide range of technical and technologica l applications, ranging from domestic usage through to heavy electrica l engineering and microelectronics. The genesis of glass ceramic mater ials in the 1950s is reviewed together with the various studies in nuc leation and crystallisation phenomena that have subsequently taken pla ce. The property requirements for specific applications are given and the selection and development of glass ceramics that will fit these ne eds are discussed. Comparisons with other glass and ceramic materials are drawn which illustrate the preferential selection of glass ceramic s for various uses.