Enhanced mechanical properties of oriented mica glass-ceramics

Oriented mica-containing glass-ceramics have been fabricated by hot-pressin g the glasses after they were crystallized. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy show that mica plates were aligned in the hot- pressed glass-ceramics, forming a (001) preferential texture. The formation of the oriented structure was attributed to the combination of viscous flo w of residual glass and rolling of mica plates when hot-pressure was applie d. By hot-pressing technique, the flexural strength and fracture toughness of the glass-ceramics were improved up to 380 MPa and 2.8 MPa m(1/2), respe ctively, two to three times higher than traditional mica glass-ceramics. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.