A new criterion for the stability of glasses, k(D)(T), k(D)(T)=nu.exp
(-E/RT.D), where D=T-c(T-p-T-c)/T-l(T-l-T-g), was proposed, which incl
uded both the kinetic factor and the thermodynamic factor by means of
bringing the correction factor, D, into the crystallization kinetic pa
rameter, k(T), k(T)=nu exp (-E/RT) The lower the value of k(D)(T), the
more stable glass. The new criterion, k(D)(T), was not influenced by
the heating rate of differential thermal analysis (DTA). Especially wh
en the values of frequency factor nu of glasses were near, the new cri
terion, k(D)(T), could accurately determine the stability of the glass
es. The correctness of the new criterion, k(D)(T), had been verified t
hrough being used in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glasses and the Nd dope
d fluorozirconate glasses. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All righ
ts reserved.